Gemma joined DWA in 2013 as a Researcher and subsequently joined the Management Committee in 2014.  Gemma has been involved in development since the 2004 and has extensive project and programme management experience.

Gemma’s portfolio has spanned delivering mental health services for refugees and asylum seekers; education and health provision for women and children living in poverty; and holistic HIV/AIDS services. 

Gemma has also served as an organisational development advisor in Kenya for the national hospice and palliative care association.

Currently Gemma works with GSMA Mobile Money Programme, transforming the financial lives of underserved people; enabling greater financial inclusion, economic empowerment and driving economic growth in emerging markets.

Gemma holds a BA in Sociology and Development Studies from Sussex University and an MSc in Poverty Reduction with Management from SOAS, University of London.

Su Njogu is a member of the DWA Management Committee. She is also the coordinator and founder of the Kenya Disability Resource (www.kenyadisabilityresource.org). Su brings to the team a wealth of experience in academic research, project management and bid writing related to different aspects of Health and Social Care, Health policy, public health and life sciences in general. Before working in disability and development she worked as a researcher in Higher Education and at an International Research Centre in Nairobi Kenya for over 25 years. She has authored, co-authored and contributed to several scientific articles and policy reports.

Her interest in disability started 30 years ago when she got a child with complex disabilities -who was born in Africa and spent his first 14 years experiencing the medical and social difficulties that most disabled people in Africa still go though today. Su is currently involved in inclusive development projects, advocacy & others and is committed to eradicating stigma.

Today we introduce another DWA member in Donald.

Donald is an experienced leadership and team building facilitator working extensively with UK and international organisations with expertise in board development and leadership strategy. He is a director of a number of businesses managing property and property rental to provide community space for meetings and local activity. He is married and lives in Wales. He has a passion and focus for developing human potential reflected in his work for Susila Dharma Britain.

Abu joined the DWA management committee in 2012. Born and raised in Nigeria, Abu has a very good understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing disabled people in Africa. Abu currently works in the public sector, prior to this he worked for five years as a Project Officer with Disability Wales, on a project supporting disabled people into self-employment. Continuously driven by a passion for achieving equality and inclusion for disabled people, Abu volunteers his time to mentor disabled people on the Disability Rights UK, Leadership Academy Programme and is also a Trustee of Able Child Africa.  

Today we introduce Trevor Palmer!

Trevor is one of the original members of DWA through his involvement with ResponsABLE assistance which he founded in 2004.  He is also Director of Disability Wales and involves him self in UK Disability Movement matters.

Trevor runs his own business, GL100SERVICES, which employs mostly disabled people and is a member of The National Partnership Board for Social Care Wales.

Trevor has worked in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Senegal witnessing the gross inequality of disabled people.

Over the coming weeks we are hoping to introduce you to the team behind the DWA, up first is Paul!

Paul Lindoewood is the Founder and the Co-ordinator of Disability in Wales and Africa.  He is also a Trustee of the Brecon Molo Community Partnership as well as the Co-Chair of Disability Powys.  Paul has been involved in the UK Disability Movement since the mid 1980’s and has fulfilled many roles, both employed and voluntarily, developing policy and practices around Independent Living. 

Between 1996- 2005 Paul worked with the Methodist Church in Kenya as a Disability Community Worker.  This was in pursuit of a long term interest in disability as an international and community development issue.  When returning to the UK Paul looked for opportunities;

1. To enable greater understanding, globally, of the barriers faced by respective disabled communities and how they have been overcome.
2. To promote worldwide solidarity between disabled people.
3. To advocate for disabled people’s organisations to be involved at all levels of social, economic and political development.

This led to the birth of Disability in Wales and Africa appearing from the Wales Africa sector.