“After an English degree and a post-graduate diploma in journalism I went into regional newspapers and from there to working overseas in communications for Care International in Zambia. Returning to the UK, I was keen to maintain my interest in international relations and joined TREE AID in January 2004. TREE AID is active in western Africa and Ethiopia, in some of the driest areas near the edge of the Sahara desert.

“I produce literature, newsletters and annual reviews to support our fund-raising, and I write press releases and articles about TREE AID’s work, to bring it to the public’s attention. My job involves liaising with TREE AID’s fund-raising staff in Bristol and many phone calls and e-mails with our office in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. I’ve been lucky enough to go out to the field and see how our work makes a difference to people’s lives. I hadn’t really appreciated the importance of trees for people in rural Africa, or how deforestation is depriving them of medicine, food, fuel and even the means to earn money from tree products.

“TREE AID funds projects run by local organisations in Africa, bringing back the tree cover that’s vital to stabilising the soil against the advance of the desert. We help our local African partner organisations to establish tree nurseries and the water systems needed to go with them. We are also involved in income generation schemes to help African communities to gain an economic benefit from growing and looking after the trees. Trees provide fodder for animals and fruit, nuts and seeds which can be sold in local markets.

“I’ve learned a tremendous amount about how non-governmental organisations work and have gained a much better understanding of some of the issues facing people in developing countries.”