Volunteers’ week (1st-7th June) is a chance for UK organisations to thank their volunteers for the fantastic contribution that they make. At Our Moon, our volunteers provide vital support and expertise across a range of different areas and truly are the lifeblood of the organization. Thank you!
PAULA ALIONYTE
Paula is a fundraising consultant currently studying for an MSc in NGO Management at Cass Business School in London and working for an international disability rights organisation based in Africa and Asia. Paula has a solid understanding of fundraising practices in the UK and has worked with a number of non-profit organisations providing database management and data protection advice, managing volunteers and consulting on fundraising strategy. She has experience in direct marketing, relationships fundraising, events and corporate fundraising.
Paula says ‘Access to tools, resources and skills to grow one’s professionalism and understanding of their possibilities is key to a successful life. I believe that Our Moon Education does great work in ensuring that Zambian youth are well-equipped in this regard’.
Paula 
Ester
ESTER BORTOT
Ester worked in the banking industry for a number of years, most recently at Rothschild where she was a Client Adviser in the Wealth Management division in London. Prior to that she worked at HSBC and Renaissance Capital and holds an undergraduate degree from Durham University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in African Development at the London School of Economics having taken the decision to refocus her career in 2017. Born in Zambia, Ester is particularly keen to leverage off her experience to date to help bring about positive change in her home country. She is currently working with Our Moon to devise a workable Major Donor funding strategy.
JAMES HAUGHTON
James studied International Development with a research focus on NGO accountability, particularly concerned with accountability to beneficiaries. Having previously worked in Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, James volunteered for Dig Deep between 2008-13, including serving as a trustee for 18 months before being employed as assistant director by Dig Deep. He is responsible for governance in Kenya and for building capacity within the Kenyan Team and partners.
James is keen to use his knowledge to help Our Moon Education grow and make more impact in Zambia. He is hoping to become a trustee in the near future.
James 
Natalie
NATHALIE HUSSA
Nathalie has a BA degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Kent and an MA degree in Human Rights from University College London. She currently works in London as a Fundraising Officer for a substance misuse prevention charity. Half American, half Belgian, Nathalie enjoys travelling to new countries and learning languages (she speaks English, Dutch, French and Spanish). Nathalie joined Our Moon this January to gain experience in international development and is excited to be providing fundraising and communications support. She has enjoyed learning about Zambia and hopes to visit one day to meet some of Our Moon’s extraordinary scholars!
JEN MOORE
Jen has been running Our Moon Education’s social media for six months while studying for an MSc in International Development. “Studying international development, I know the value of education and its ability to transform. Managing the social media of Our Moon has given me the opportunity to witness this first hand. Now that I have completed my undergraduate degree in Economics and Geography, I’m beginning to fulfil the ambitions I had as a teenager to specialise in the development field and my experience with Our Moon has spurred me on further. As part of my dissertation fieldwork, I am planning on heading out to Zambia with Helen in the summer and cannot wait to meet the scholars and ambassadors who I’ve grown to learn so much about!”
DAVID MTONGA
As adviser to the Board of Trustees, David acts both as an ambassador for Our Moon and also advises the Board of Trustees on issues about Zambia. In his mentor role, David offers educational guidance, emotional support and help with students’ university applications. He is originally from Lusaka, Zambia, and believes wholeheartedly in Our Moon’s mission to break down barriers to education and change lives. David attended Hillcrest School in Livingstone, one of our partner schools. David is currently studying Electrical Engineering at Brighton University and was one of Helen’s former students; he loves reading and learning new things.