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  About Build it

  Build It is a charity working in Zambia since 2007. We continue to develop effective ways to help reduce unemployment and poverty.

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  We create opportunities for young people in Zambia through skills training and community building projects.

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  Impact Study 2021

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Join us: Supporter Reception, 19 Oct 2023

Young Professionals Board

Young professionals making a difference

Build It’s Young Professionals Board (YPB) is the next generation of young supporters who offer their skills and expertise to sustain the future of the charity.

Opportunities for Young Professionals

 

The YPB is a vibrant and enthusiastic group of young people at the early stages of career development. They are keen to make a meaningful difference in support of Build It.

Build It recognises that young individuals at the start of their careers can bring energy and enthusiasm. Their desire to make a difference can impact the charity through their networks and connections. In return, we offer:

• The opportunity to work alongside a development charity
• Networking opportunities with other young professionals and next generation of supporters
• Support and guidance from the Build It Development Board
• The opportunity to develop fundraising ideas to positively impact the lives of the most vulnerable in Zambia

• About the YPB
• Members
• What is involved?

The Young Professionals Board Paper defines the group and its objectives. This provides a vision for the future in support of Build It International: Read YBP Brief

 

Beth Vuckovic

Chair

After gaining 2 years experience working as a Country Coordinator in the Overseas Team at an International Educational charity based in Scotland, Beth has joined the YPB at Build It. She has had a keen interest in development through education since living and volunteering in Senegal for a year in 2014/2015, which later went on to inspire her dissertation on the impact of colonialism on cross cultural understanding. Beth is particularly inspired by the work that Build It does through effective skills training, which empowers youth and creates opportunity. Excited to learn from Build It, and striving to develop a career working with communities and learning about cultures. Beth has recently accepted the role as Chair and is working with the group as they define new roles and fundraising initiatives.  

Amelia Gosztony

Vice-Chair

Amelia has had an interest in Build It for a while and has enjoyed helping out at many events. She was lucky enough in 2010 to visit some of the projects in Zambia and engage with the local communities they benefitted, seeing first hand the tangible impact Build It has. Amelia works in management consulting, having graduated in 2018 from Oxford. She enjoys travelling and playing sports in her spare time. As part of the Young Professionals, Amelia analysed key points from the most significant change stories as part of Build It’s 2020 Impact Study. The stories offer fascinating and real insight into the impact of Build It International’s work. She is currently working with Lewis to research new potential corporate partnerships and fundraising opportunities.  

Lewis Jowett

Secretary

Build It has always had a large presence in Lewis’s life and in 2010 he visited numerous completed school and clinic projects in Zambia, which illustrated the need for school facilities in Zambia’s poorest areas. Lewis graduated from the University of Bath in 2019 with a degree in Politics and Economics, he currently works in the Corporate Finance team of Grant Thornton. Lewis is a keen sportsman, playing mainly hockey and tennis plus enjoys hiking and wild swimming. Lewis has supported many Build It events and is currently working with Amelia to research corporate partnerships and fundraising for Build It.  

Caitlin Simmonds

Caitlin’s interest in the projects and success of Build It has only continued to grow since completing work experience with the charity in 2018. Whilst writing a research report on expanding Build It’s projects to locations outside of Zambia, she became particularly impressed by the skills training programme and Centre for Excellence provided by the organisation. Caitlin has also shown a keen interest in inspiring more young people to get involved within charitable work. Her article for Build It’s website emphasised the valuable skills, knowledge and enthusiasm young people can contribute towards such organisations. By being a member of the Young Professionals Board, she hopes to encourage such individuals to realise this potential and become more actively engaged with charities.  

Roxy Weller

Roxy’s interest in Build it sparked when discovering its work within Zambia and drive to get women into construction. From working ‘on the tools’ to production in Willmott Dixon, she understands first-hand the importance of breaking the stigma for women within the male dominated industry, especially within trade. Roxy is currently working to create a mentorship programme, supporting women in the UK to access the construction industry with the ultimate goal of linking tradeswomen with females on the trainee program in Zambia. Africa holds a special place in Roxy’s heart with her family ties and fond memories visiting. She is passionate and motivated to support ‘Build It’ and is excited to be a part of the rise of women within the industry.  

Rebecca Gaffney

Rebecca’s interest in Build It has stemmed from her current passion for studying International Relations at the University of Exeter and being heavily involved in charitable events outside of her studies. Rebecca worked with ‘Rebuilding Schools Nepal’ to help rebuild Antarastriya Yuwa Barsa Secondary School, Ramechhap following the April 2015 earthquake. Rebecca is currently Treasurer and Secretary for Period Poverty Exeter which aims to fight for period equity the de-stigmatisation of menstruation and to tackle period poverty. Rebecca is a keen fundraiser and is eager to be involved with Build It this year to support progress in sustainable development, female empowerment and gender equity.  

Jamie Howard

Jamie’s interest in Build It came through studying geography at the University of Bristol where his dissertation focused on vocational skills training in Zambia. Jamie visited Zambia twice where he interviewed Build It employees, trainees and contractors to collect vital data for his research. Jamie completed a literary review for Build It and conducted on-line interviews with our colleagues in Zambia. Jamie also enjoys playing team sports, travelling and spending time with friends and family.  

Celia McAnulty

Following a Build It informational session at Capital Group, Celia knew she wanted to join! It was during her volunteering in the Fiji Islands that she realised the importance of helping rural communities. Celia recently graduated from the University of Liverpool where she studyed Economics. She started working at Capital Group on a rotation graduate programme in September 2022. In her spare time, Celia likes to do yoga and travel. Celia works with the young professionals board and helps to organise events within Capital Group.  

Quarterly meetings are held in London or via video link-up to discuss new ideas and projects. Through collaboration, the board has progressed individual and collective projects, including a fundraising challenge raising for the Safe Hands Appeal and a bowling event for work at Zambezi Sawmills Community School.

Are you interested in global issues? Are you able to offer ideas and skills to a group of enthusiastic and engaged group of young professionals?  If you would like to learn more, please contact info@builditinternational.org

The Young Professionals Board (YPB) is an independent group which runs alongside the main Development Board to provide support, encouragement and networking with senior professional supporters of Build It.

YPB September Meeting

Build It International was proud to launch its Young Professionals Board (YPB)  at its September meeting, offering a new generation of young supporters to build upon and strengthen the future of the charity.

Our first meeting in September was a chance to meet informally to get the ball rolling and ideas flowing.  The enthusiasm for Build It was really encouraging and each individual had some great ideas with tasks to take away.  It was great to see the support for each other within the group and the valuing of shared ideas.

Key suggestions:

• Blog: Photos and feedback from a visit to Build It in Zambia from a YPB member
• University Societies: Those members at university agreed to contact societies where they had connections to see if they could nominate Build It as the charity to support through fundraising activity
• Research: Universities or other institutions where there might be links to Zambia
• Corporate: Investigate organisations where there are contacts for their policy on corporate responsibility to see if there might be interest in Build It
• Networking: Consider friends, family, colleagues who might be inspired by or have interest in the work of Build It and offer an opportunity to be an ambassador for the charity
• Ambassador: Engage with the work of Build It through LinkedIn and other social media, events and networks

YPB December Meeting

The Young Professionals Board will be meeting again in London on 11th December and is delighted to be welcoming some new members from a wide ranging professional spectrum of experience and talent. We look forward to sharing ideas in a supportive atmosphere to promote and enhance the work of Build It. For information, contact: marianne@builditinternational.org

Young Professional Visits Zambia

Jamie Howard, a member of Build It’s Young Professional Board, visited Zambia in September and writes about his experiences. Read article...

Find out more about the Young Professionals Board.