Former Sponsored Child Appointed Charity Trustee of Compassion UK

Richmond Wandera, a Compassion Graduate who grew up in Uganda, has today (18 October 2019) been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Christian child development charity Compassion UK.

This is the first time that a former beneficiary has been appointed to Compassion UK’s Board.

mpassion graduate, Richmond Wander

With an incredible testimony of transformation through his local Compassion project in Uganda, Richmond will bring valuable first-hand experience and insights to support the charity’s mission to see children released from poverty, in Jesus’ name.

Graham Williams, Chair of Compassion UK Board of Trustees congratulated Richmond on his appointment: “I am delighted today to welcome Richmond to Compassion UK’s Board. He brings such warmth, passion and integrity. I’m convinced that his first-hand experience of growing up in poverty will help us to keep the children we support at the heart of everything we do. Please join me in praying for Richmond and the rest of the Board as we look ahead to Compassion UK’s work in 2020.

mpassion UK board members Richmond Wandera, Cathy Clarke and Shaun Sinnia

Richmond Wandera explained why he is delighted to be appointed to the new role: “Through its local church partners, Compassion provides holistic child development programmes for children growing up in the world’s poorest countries. This is a mission I am 100 percent committed to and I am particularly pleased to bring contextual knowledge and different perspectives to the decision-making table. As a child I experienced love, hope and encouragement through Compassion, and it is a privilege to be working to give the same opportunities to thousands of others.”

A story of hope

Richmond’s life was turned upside down at the age of eight, when his father was murdered. With no income of her own, Richmond’s mother moved the family to their new home – a single room in one of Uganda’s largest slums.

Hunger and thirst began to take their toll both physically and mentally on Richmond. One day, his mother explained that there was no money for food, so Richmond was sent onto the streets to fend for himself and his younger sister.

A church nearby heard about the family’s need and registered Richmond into their Compassion project. Richmond soon received news that he had been sponsored by 15-year-old Heather from the UK, who supported him through monthly donations and valued letters of encouragement. Child sponsorship links a child in need with a caring sponsor, providing healthcare, access to education, and nutritional, emotional and spiritual support.

Richmond thrived in the Compassion Child Sponsorship Programme and thanks to Compassion, was given the opportunity to attend university. Richmond has since set up the Pastors Discipleship Network, a programme that trains, strengthens and equips pastors throughout Africa.

Watch a video of Richmond’s story and find out more about child sponsorship.

About Compassion UK’s governance

Compassion UK’s Board of Trustees are responsible for its overall governance and strategic direction, including overseeing the charity’s objectives and finances.

Richmond has been appointed for a three-year term, with trustees serving for a maximum of three terms. The trustee recruitment process involved nomination, a rigorous round of interviews, attendance at Board meetings as an observer and then election by a majority vote at a Board meeting at Compassion House, Fleet.

Find out more about Compassion UK’s financial governance.