Lily Nyamwasa – Founder & President
Lily Nyamwasa was born and raised in Rwanda. She migrated to Australia in 1995. Since coming to Australia, she established her career in Human Resources Management. Before starting 2edu, a recruitment firm that specialises in the Academic sector, Lily previously worked for Ernst & Young and AccessUTS in administration positions. With her diverse interests and also being a mother of 2 boys Lily continues to work with 2edu on a consultancy basis. She holds a BA of Education in Adult Learning majoring in Human Resources Management from University of Technology, Sydney. She also worked as a Fashion Model and Actress in her spare time. Her acting career includes playing Jedi Stass Allie in Star Wars Episode II & III.
Lily is passionate about helping orphans and disadvantaged children with their education. Growing up as an orphan herself, she understands the struggle these children go through on daily basis. In 2004, Lily went back to Rwanda for the first time since her departure, accompanied by her husband. What particularly struck her, was the plight of the children who had been orphaned during the genocide. She came back to Sydney determined to do something about this situation. With support from a group of friends, Lily organised her very first fundraising event, which raised around $11,000. Lily was amazed at the generosity of most Australians. Initially, all it took was a mass email to everyone in her inbox asking if they could help. They could. Encouraged by this success, Lily and her friends formed Rwandan Orphans Assistance Response (ROAR) with the mission to help educate orphans and disadvantaged children in the rural areas of Rwanda.
Faith Agugu – Vice President & PR Manager
Nigerian born Faith Agugu has been a part of ROAR Charity since 2007 and
became a member of the committee at the end of 2008.
With over 20 years experience in the fashion industry and 9 years running
her own fashion company; Raw Fashion Agency, Faith brings to ROAR a wealth
of experience and influential contacts. Faith has a passion for community and has had a long history of philanthropic activity both in Australia and the UK.
Faith would like to assist ROAR to grow into a recognised charity throughout Australia with fundraising events taking place in all its major cities.
Paddy Mulligan - Treasurer
Patrick or ‘Paddy’ Mulligan has been a member of ROAR’s committee since 2010. He has been a committee member since 2011 and nominated Treasurer in late 2011.
In November 2008, Paddy travelled to Africa with his wife Kavitha Mulligan. One of the countries that he visited was Rwanda. After sponsoring ROAR’s Black and White event of 2008, Paddy was introduced to Lily and the opportunity of visiting Lily’s old school at Linganwe was discussed.
To see first hand the situation that Rwanda finds itself, left a lasting impression on Paddy. The recent events of 1994 and the ongoing challenges faced by Rwanda and her people are self evident. The chance to make a change and to get involved was great for Paddy and so his involvement began.
After attending events in 2008 and 2009 and personally being involved in the organisation of events in 2011 and 2012, Paddy now manages the budget of ROAR Charity with Lily and helps ensure that all the charitable donations are used invested correctly and in the right areas, so that ROAR’s objectives are met. Ultimately ensuring the Orphans of Rwanda get the benefits of all donations. The latest projects that Paddy is involved with are making the ‘ROAR’s 2012 City2Surf Fun Run‘ bigger and better in 2012 and investigating and managing the implementation of the “Water Project” for the village of Linganwe. The latter is to ensure the children of Rwanda get access to clean water.
ROAR can make a difference and so can you!
Kavitha Mulligan – Fundraising Manager
For 3 months in 2008, Kavitha travelled from Southern Africa up to East Africa with her husband Paddy Mulligan. Rwanda was always high on the agenda due to its untouched reputation, its people and its wildlife.
Kavitha was first introduced to the Founder of the committee, Lily Nyamwasa, during ROAR’s Black and White event of 2008. Kavitha and Paddy soon learned Rwanda was going to exceed all expectations with its recent history, its survivals and its children orphaned. She was privileged to accept the opportunity to visit ROAR’s school for orphaned children. Both volunteers spent a day in the school meeting the educators and the children. They had the honour of delivering and distributing new uniforms to all the students at the school.
Following this life changing experience, Kavitha became a member of the ROAR committee and has since been involved in assisting the ROAR team in organising fundraising activities prior to and during ROAR’s annual events, with the aim to successfully complete ROAR’s projects at Linganwe School.
Jann Hing – Secretary & Event and Production Manager
Angele Taylor – Accountant
Eliane McCarthy – General Member
Aloys Rubasha – General Member