Meet the people

Send a Cow has always benefited from working with experienced, enthusiastic and talented people.

Whether it’s at our Head Office in Bath, or in one of our seven teams across Africa, we work tirelessly to help families in Africa leave poverty behind for good.

Started by a group of dairy farmers whose dedication and commitment prepared Send a Cow for the journey ahead, here are just some of the inspirational and hardworking staff that help to make Send a Cow so special today:

Martin Geake, Chief Executive

After 5 years management consultancy to farming businesses in the UK, Martin lived and worked in Africa for 17 years where he has extensive experience of leading and managing growing organisations. This includes development of smallholder programmes in Malawi, running an international management training centre in Swaziland and the management of high profile business and development projects in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. He has been with Send a Cow since 2000.

“Send a Cow is hugely popular in Africa because its grassroots approach to rural development works. It is a great privilege to be leading such a dynamic charity and our fantastic teams of staff both in the UK and in Africa, motivated and inspired by our God given mission”.

Ida Hadoto, Gender and Social Development Manager

Working with groups including orphans and disabled people, Ida heads up Send a Cow’s social development teams. In each country where we work, she helps tackle issues such as low status, gender prejudice, lack of confidence and health concerns.

Ida is an inspiration to all who meet and work with her; over the last 27 years, she has fostered over 50 children, almost all of whom are orphans. “I believe you should help those in need as much as you can. This means at work and at home I give 100%. It’s so satisfying to see the benefits of our work pay off when families and whole communities leave poverty behind for good.”

David Bragg, Senior Programme Coordinator

David was one of the founding farmers who sent cows to Africa over 20 years ago. He’s still working at the heart of the organisation today, using his farming experience to ensure that Send a Cow delivers its promises on the ground. Whether working with our projects regularly in Africa or working here in the UK, he brings learning and guidance to expand the Vision he helped to begin.

“In 1995, I visited a cow [she was called Gracie] in Uganda that had come from my farm. I was so inspired by the difference she had made to her Ugandan family that I came back to the UK and sold my dairy herd to free up some of my time to give more voluntary support to Send a Cow. To work for Send a Cow is to be able to live out my God given and guided passion to see farming families released from poverty and restored the right to make choices”

Tricia Lawrence, Ambassador

Tricia is one of our longest-standing Ambassadors. She really wanted to do something that would make a difference and with a love for all things African as well as appreciation for Send a Cow’s practical work and Christian values, she was keen to give up some of her time to raise money for this worthwhile cause.

Tricia tends to do some sort of work for Send a Cow once a week although she is always thinking of new ideas. She has attended training and workshop weekends where she has learnt more about Send a Cow, shared experiences and ideas with fellow ambassadors as well as having great fun!

“I have always received so much support from Send a Cow, and I love coming up with new ways to raise the profile of the charity and spread the word of its great work. I had the privilege of going to Uganda and Ethiopia to see how Send a Cow’s projects really do change lives – it was the most humbling, inspiring and wonderful experience”.

Amsalu Haile, Ethiopian farmer, Send a Cow trainer

Amsalu lives in Bonke, one of the most remote areas of Ethiopia. Almost a decade ago, his 10 children were hungry most of the time. With Send a Cow’s help he started to grow food and is now a successful farmer with land and a house. He can pay for his children to go to school. He has a bank account. Amsalu’s success means that he now wants to pass on his knowledge to others to help them enjoy a better life; so far he has trained 20 other farmers.

“God willing, I have a plan to educate other farmers to change their life situation. Currently I am supporting four children in the community, buying school materials for them. I also have a plan to change houses built using mud and straw in towns to bricks and blocks built houses.”