Evariste Hatungimana: Activities Coordinator
Evariste completed studies in teacher training in 1987. He worked as a teacher in Burundi for three years before moving to work on a development project for the Ministry of Agriculture. Before joining The Bethesda Project he worked for the Diocese of Muyinga in Burundi as Assistant Coordinator, supervising the formation and ongoing support of agricultural associations. Evariste is married to Elizabeth and has three children; he enjoys sport and has been involved in many different sporting activities since his school days.
Steve McIlhenny: Project Coordinator
Steve has a degree in Geoscience from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He completed an Outdoor Leadership Development Program at Medeba, Canada, in 2003 and continued his training as a Trainee Instructor at Kepplewray in 2005. Since then Steve has worked as a Snowsports Instructor for Oak Hall Christian Holiday Company and as Deputy Manager of The Beacon Youth and Outdoor Centre, part of the Lee Abbey Community in Devon. He then returned to Kepplewray as an Activity Instructor in 2009 to begin planning for The Bethesda Project. Steve spent much of his childhood in Nepal where his parents were missionaries. He loves to travel and see new places and has a great love of the outdoors.
Lucy McIlhenny: Activity Instructor/Administrator
Lucy has a joint degree in Theology and Philosophy from The University of Nottingham. She previously worked as a civilian in Avon and Somerset Constabulary but started working as an instructor at The Beacon Youth and Outdoor Activity Centre, part of Lee Abbey Community in Devon. She continued her training as Trainee Instructor at Kepplewray in 2009 and has also been working as Administrator and Fundraiser for The Bethesda Project. Lucy has welcomed the chance to work in Burundi where her aunt and uncle, Graham and Sarah White, lived for twenty years.
Divine Irakoze: Disability Development Worker
Divine worked as a secretary and in a supermarket in Bujumbura before joining The Bethesda Project. She live in Muyinga and is married to Gerard. She is excited to be working for a project that allows her to care for others. She has a particular desire to encourage people with disabilities to overcome their fears, their low self-esteem and to help them to interact in a positive way in society.
Lambert Bigirimana: Disability Development Worker
Lambert worked for the Norwegian Refugee Council as a primary school teacher for vulnerable children before joining The Bethesda Project. Lambert is engaged to Lillian and will get married in December 2012. The war in Burundi was a difficult time for him, but he was helped in many ways by members of his family. He is happy to be working for an organisation where he is able to help people who are less fortunate than himself. He enjoys sports, reading and is delighted to be part of the team.
Bishop Eraste Bigirimana: Bishop of the Muyinga Diocese Burundi
Bishop Eraste Bigirimana was installed as Bishop of Muyinga Diocese, Burundi in 2005. He is married to Consolate and has 5 children. He has a degree in African Languages and Literature from Bujumbura National University and a degree in Divinity from Uganda Christian University. He worked as a secondary school teacher for 5 years. Before becoming Bishop of Muyinga Diocese Bishop Eraste worked for a while as a pastor and then as Diocesan Secretary of Gitega Diocese in Burundi for 11 years. Bishop Eraste is committed to helping the many disadvantaged people groups in Muyinga Province. The Bethesda Project is just one of his many projects helping people living in extreme poverty throughout the Diocese of Muyinga.
Peter Sanders: Kepplewray Project Director
Peter has a BA Combined Arts Degree and a CQSW/Dip.SW. He has over 25 years experience in the Social Care field – both statutory and voluntary sectors. Before coming to Kepplewray in 2001, he worked as Project Director of St George’s Crypt, a charity for the homeless in Leeds for 10 years. Peter is married to Gillian and has two daughters at university. Peter is committed to the aims of Kepplewray and Bethesda, working towards a fully inclusive society where each individual is valued. He has welcomed the opportunity to widen Kepplewray's vision and begin to work in partnership with the Anglican Church in Burundi working with disabled and disadvantaged people.
