Meet the Team
Michael Amphlet
Quest4Change Chairman of Trustees
What is the first charity you can remember supporting and how?
Medecins Sans Frontieres because I thought they we're cool. They're often the first charity into disaster zones and the last to leave danger zones. The work they do saves lives but I can't quite remember how I got involved.
What cause do you feel most passionate about?
I guess the plight of our planet. When you take into account that the planet took 5billion years to evolve and we've managed to destroy 80% in 200 years through over fishing, deforestation and the pillage of our natural environment. If we destroy our planet it will lead to the destruction of the human race at the same time.
Is it more important to give time rather than money?
In an ideal world? Both. Donating well placed money is very important and as the unequal distribution of wealth in the world is so extreme it's important to address this.
Do you ensure that donations are used effectively?
Yes, again in an ideal world, and although I donate to charities such as the Red Cross I prefer grass roots charities where you know the money is making a real difference.
What do you get out of being a trustee?
I get to stay involved with the fantastic work that Quest4Change is involved in without the operational stress.
What do you think makes Quest4Change a brilliant cause to support?
The people we're involved with, they are amazing, their inspirational commitment makes all the hard work very rewarding.
Kunal Patel
Quest4Change Trustee
Kunal volunteered with Quest4Change back in 2000 working on our longest standing project in the shanty town of Villa Maria, he has experienced at first hand the hardship faced by the communities we work with. Following his experience with Quest Kunal went on to volunteer for over a year in Vietnam on VSO's Youth Volunteer program. Having completed a BA in Economics from Manchester University Kunal went on to do an MSc in Development Economics from SOAS. His professional career began at the DWP before leading him to the Republic of Vanuatu just off the cost of Australia for two and a half years and finally to his current role at HM Treasury. Kunal joined Quest4Change in July 2010 and we are very excited to have him n board, below he talks about why supporting charities is important to him.
What is the first charity you can remember supporting and how?
NSPCC - I remember someone from NSPCC coming into school to give us a talk about what they do. That year we were fundraising for them, this included a sponsored walk, school fair, mufti days (non uniform) and the likes.
What cause do you feel most passionate about?
Children, especially those who are no access to education. I truly believe that children should be given the opportunity to relish their youth and enjoy just being kids. Many have to, or are forced to, work from a young age and miss out on so much. Education is a path out of poverty.
Is it more important to give time rather than money?
I don't think that there's a simple answer to this. Both are needed, in large amounts. It depends on what the individual can provide and this will differ from one person to the next.
Do you ensure that donations are used effectively?
I like to know what I'm giving to and where it goes. I appreciate the fact that not all the money one gives can always fully go towards the project or cause - administration is required and this costs.
What do you get out of being a trustee?
The organisation is one close to me. It provided me with such an amazing experience on my own gap year. I took a lot out of the work with Quest and in many ways it started me off on a path I was not heading down. The projects and the countries which are involved are so diverse and so interesting, and I'm grateful to be able to assist in any capacity possible.
What do you think makes Quest4Change a brilliant cause to support?
Apart from what I've covered in the answer above, I believe that Quest4Change provides a chance to get involved in projects at the grass roots level. Having worked in development, both on the ground and as a donor, the truly inspirational work is being done in projects like the Kenya water relief project, the Manu conservation project, the Villa Maria project and all the others Q4C is working with and have been involved in over the years.
Rose Terry
Quest4Change Fundraiser & Admin Support
Rose first got involved with Quest as a volunteer in Malawi back in 2007, after finishing University in Edinburgh. You could say that that trip has changed the course of her life. Always interested in Africa and development, Rose had previously volunteered in Madagascar as an English teacher. In 2008 she came to work for Quest as a Project Leader overseas for two years, spending time on each of the African projects, before returning to the UK to complete an MA (Distinction) in Education & International Development at the University of East Anglia. Rose came on-board as Fundraiser on a permanent basis with Quest4Change in November 2010, and is enjoying getting stuck in.
What is the first charity you can remember supporting and how?
Guide Dogs for the Blind - I remember very clearly helping at my big sister's garage sale for the whole neighbourhood to raise money. They sent us plenty of posters of cute pupppies following that.
What cause do you feel most passionate about?
Education - the fact that millions of children and adults in the world don't even have access to opportunities seems to me a matter of total injustice. For me 'education' is much wider than just school, and I would like to see more recognition of different cultures' ways of educating their community. I am also absolutely passionate about pushing for gender justice, especially in relation to the developing world.
Is it more important to give time rather than money?
Both - everyone has different things to offer: for some people, they may have the skills and time at large to donate to volunteering (which I believe everyone does actually). But there is no getting away from the fact that it is money which can drive projects forward - it's difficult to build a school with willing hands but no bricks. And, on a larger scale, I think it's irresponsible for any of the richer nations (which, in spite of the current budget deficit, we definitely are) to ignore the plight of poorer countries, many of whom were the foundation for our own riches through the British Empire.
What do you think makes Quest4Change a brilliant cause to support?
We support projects that do amazing work in their communities, but we never dictate to those communities. I have had the chance to be involved in the work myself, and have seen firsthand what it means to people. What most moved me was building the Pensulo Maternity Clinic in Malawi - during the build, one night I had to drive a sick woman to hospital - this took me over fifteen minutes in a car, and it just brought it home to me how big a difference the clinic could make.
