Volunteer Trustee with an interest to help Filipino children escape poverty

What will you be doing?

The Trustees have identified the need to increase the profile  of the charity  and to  update and increase our fundraising. At present regular givers grants and Big Give are the main sources of our funds and we are looking to diversify with new projects including a small society lottery.    We have a trustee vacancy due to a retirement and if your skills could help develop and support our fundraising ambitions we would love to hear from you. The new  trustee will join a Board open to innovation and change. As well as contributing to the board  the new trustee will be a member  of  our fundraising group. This will be an opportunity to satisfy your  passion to help disadvantaged  children. Our three services for children in Manila are 

Cashew Tree Early Years School  giving 200 children a free quality educational start There are two sites, one serving the Payatas community site of the former dump and the other in the heart of the San Isidro new dumpsite Grapevine scholarship program: the most needy students who show academic potential are identified at Cashew and put forward for the financial and social support . Children live with their family who must be supportive of their education. Students are assisted to thrive in their education in public school with additional Saturday School and feeding days at our Mango Tree House and regular social worker visits at home and school. Support continues until the student completes their education at whatever level.  We now  support 125 Grapevine  students

Mango Tree House: a residential children’s home where 25 children who have nowhere safe to live are loved and nurtured in this family environment to enable them to make the most of their education.. Where possible, children are re-integrated into safe family environments and supported through an enhanced Grapevine scheme.  Children of the Dump  have met  over 90% of the cost of these services We have operated for over 40 years and every  year young people have left our care to take up a career and lift both themselves and their families out of poverty.

What are we looking for?

Experience in areas such as:

fundraising,  marketing, sales business development media

is very relevant and success in other areas may also equip you for the role. After an initial induction your role will evolve from general trustee to take a lead in areas suited to your skills and interests. Previous experience of a charity and the trustee role while desirable is not essential. Support and training will be available. A knowledge of Filipino culture or a willingness to learn of it is desirable. As well as relevant skills and experience you will bring the time, enthusiasm and energy to fully participate in the charity. We are a very small team and you will  soon know us all.  We are aware of our lack of diversity and are actively seeking to remedy this. We have a heritage of christian faith but actively welcome those of all faith and none.

What difference will you make?

As a trustee you will soon understand the details of how our funds are used . As a small charity  every fundraising event and donation has an impact and your efforts will directly help maintain and increase the number of children we help. We only have one part time employee so Trustees  and volunteers play major roles and  your ideas can have a massive impact. You will not face the bureaucracy associated with larger organisations. Through the regular reports from the social workers teachers and carers who deliver our services in Manila you will  become familiar with our success stories and  become able to communicate them to others. Through the regular reports from the team in Manila  you will be involved in the stories of our successes and able to communicate that to others.