The work of SURF would not be possible without an incredible team of committed staff.

In Rwanda, we are thankful to Gabo Wilson (Coordinator), Sam Munderere (Programme Manager) and Ariane Uwamahoro (Administrator). Sam is now on a one year sabbatical as he received a scholarship to study for a Masters degree in International Development at the University of Westminster. We look forward to his return in January 2012 to lead our Foundation Rwanda programme.

We have been fortunate to have been supported this year by Maia Gedde, who joined us from the Tropical Health and Education Trust to set up our Education into Employment programme in Rwanda. She has been supported by Albert Gasake, who is now the Project Coordinator of EiE at AERG, and Catherine Russell. We welcomed as well two new staff members to the team in 2010. Jude Tibenmanya, who joins us as a Programme Manager from the Population Research Institute (PRI) and brings a wealth of experience, including time as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of CTP at DFID. Vincent Nyauma joined us as our Accountant.

Vincent succeeds Godfrey Karanga, who passed away in January after a long bout of illness. We express here again our sincere condolences to his family. After three years with SURF, Joram Sebatware moved on to a new position. We thank him as well for his contribution.

In the UK, we are supported by Flavia Kirungi, our administrator. The work of the SURF team is supported by a core team of dedicated, and long-term, supporters including Benon Banya (accounts), Andy Lawrence (education) Liam Dempsey of lbdesign (online) and Drew Sutton of niceimages (film and photography). We are thankful to Helen Andrews of lbdesign for her work with us, and welcome Ngaire Ackerley who succeeds her in supporting Liam’s work.

There have been a number of changes on the Board as well over the past year. Our former Co-Chair, Sarah Westcott, and our Company Secretary, Richard Blewitt, both retired from the Board after long and valuable tenures. Both have made remarkable contributions in progressing the work of SURF and advocating for survivors, and for that we are incredibly grateful.