A sit down with our Finance Manager
When Kelvin first found Village Water 13 years ago, he wasn’t searching for a career in international development. While looking for volunteer opportunities to support his accounting qualifications, he came across a volunteer role with Village Water. What began as a way to gain experience quickly became something much more meaningful.
“I loved that such a small team, with relatively limited income, was able to achieve so much.”
Over the years, Kelvin has become an integral part of the organisation, helping Village Water grow and adapt while remaining committed to supporting communities in Zambia and Mozambique.
Stepping Outside His Comfort Zone
Kelvin has visited Zambia and Mozambique around ten times during his time at Village Water.
“It was my first time travelling to Africa and one of the first times I’d travelled outside Europe and the USA. It was definitely outside my comfort zone and a bit of a culture shock” says Kelvin about his first trip to Zambia.
His first trip to Mozambique brought different challenges.
“In Mozambique, communication was more challenging as I don’t speak Portuguese, but it also made me appreciate the dedication and resilience of the team even more.”
One thing that has stayed with Kelvin throughout his visits is the commitment of Village Water’s in-country partners.
“If there’s one thing I’d want people to know, it’s how incredibly hardworking and passionate our local partners are. They genuinely care about the communities they serve and are committed to creating lasting change.”
Adapting and Growing
Kelvin describes Village Water’s shift towards a District Wide Plan approach as one of the most transformative changes he has witnessed.
“In the early days, we’d identify a village without a water point, build one, deliver hygiene and sanitation training, and replicate the model in another village.”
Today, Village Water works more holistically with local partners and communities to create sustainable, long-term change.
Seeing Change First-Hand
For Kelvin, some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing the difference Village Water’s work makes over time.
“Sometimes you visit a community before any intervention has taken place, and then later visit a community where support has already been delivered. The contrast can be striking. You can immediately see the difference. Communities that have received support are making improvements, maintaining facilities, and building on what they’ve achieved. The positive impact is visible.”
Fundraising Adventures
Village Water has also encouraged Kelvin to take on challenges he never expected.
A 30-mile cycle ride from Telford to Shrewsbury eventually led to a London-to-Paris challenge alongside trustees, staff and supporters.
“The funny thing was that the younger cyclists relied on their phones for navigation, while some of the older trustees used paper maps. The people with the maps got lost less often than those using technology!”
He also signed up for a memorable triathlon.
“I decided to learn how to swim and entered a triathlon before I could actually swim properly. I’d already signed up and paid the entry fee. At one point I jumped into a river with an inflatable duck!”
Three Words That Define Village Water
For Kelvin, three words capture the essence of Village Water:
Collaborative. Dynamic. Passionate.
“Everyone who works here develops a passion for what we do. People genuinely care about supporting communities in Zambia and Mozambique, and they care about supporting each other too.”
