About the Trustees:
Heather Rosser
Heather first travelled to Ghana in 1967 with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), where she taught at a prestigious college. In 1974 she and Adrian moved to Northern Nigeria for four years, where she taught English and ran the local Scouts group. After the birth of their first daughter, Heather conducted sociological research into childbirth customs. Her findings have recently been published in the book, Growing up in the Mandara Mountains. Heather and Adrian lived in Botswana from 1979 to 1985 where Heather worked as a curriculum development officer and for the Botswana Guardian newspaper. On their return to UK, Heather set up Wold School of English, specialising in preparing European development workers for postings in Africa. Later, she worked for Macmillan Education writing text books for African schoolchildren.
Heather brings her experience of overseas development and excellent communication skills to the Board of Community Action Ghana.
Adrian Rosser
Chair of Trustees. Adrian first went to Ghana in 1967 with VSO where he taught in St Mary’s Junior Seminary and met his wife, Heather. In 1974 Adrian (and Heather) worked in a Teacher Training College in Northern Nigeria where he taught Science and set up a school laboratory. He was also in charge of the college maintenance. Adrian lived with his family in Botswana from 1979 to 1985 where he worked, first for the In-service Teacher Training team then as Manager of the Teaching Aid Production Unit. He visited primary schools and ran courses for teachers, as well as overseeing the development of new teaching aids. On returning to England in 1985, the family bought a small holding and Adrian taught science at the local comprehensive school. He was in charge of Examinations and also set up the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in the school. In 2001 and 2002 he travelled to Namibia with students organised by World Challenge. In 2002, Adrian and Heather moved to Oxford where Adrian taught at a special needs school. When he retired from teaching, he worked for the charity Mango – Management Accounting for NGOs. He has served as a Trustee on a variety of school governing boards and served eight years as a District Councillor.
Adrian returned to Ghana in 2009 and 2010 to work on a toilet building project in the Volta Region. He kept in touch with several people and in 2018 set up a similar project in another village with generous financial support from family and friends. Heather and his daughter Alyrene returned with him in 2019 for the completion of the project and to set up, Community Action Ghana as an official charity.
Adrian brings his excellent management and technical skills to the Board and the projects.
Alyrene Rosser:
Alyrene is a fundraising professional and has worked for large international NGOs including, UNICEF UK and Oxfam, as well as smaller, grass roots organisations. She also happens to be Adrian and Heather’s daughter! In 2010/11, she volunteered through VSO in Uganda as Marketing and Fundraising Advisor for a women’s rights organisation based in Kampala.
Alyrene has extensive experience in leading overseas fundraising events and field visits. While working for UNICEF UK, she frequently travelled to Africa and Asia and was responsible for between 16 – 120 fundraising volunteers on each trip. As a Project Manager for Raleigh International in Borneo, Alyrene was responsible for the wellbeing and health and safety of young volunteers from Europe and Asia. She managed community projects such as building water systems for rural villages and conducted feasibility studies with the local community to assess future needs.
Alyrene brings her experience of working in both West & East Africa to her role as Trustee and leads on all fundraising activities for Community Action Ghana.
Our charity registration number is 1188867
