People Involved

Board Members

• Sue & Carl van Schreven

  Orphansaid international Role: Founders & Trustees
  

  Sue and Carl van Schreven are the Founders of Orphans Aid International and have been breathing and sleeping the vision since before it began in 2004. Both work fulltime for the Trust – Sue as CEO, Carl as Administrator. 

  Sue [nee Anderson] was formerly a Youth Pastor and an accredited Financial adviser. Carl was a Rescue Fire Officer for 24 years. 

  Sue and Carl have two young children, Ben and Daniel, who have also been involved with the set up of the orphanages and are very much part of the team. 

  Sue has travelled extensively and has a great relationship with all the projects. She is currently writing her first book featuring the Orphans Aid journey. Carl oversees our OpShops and does a lot of behind the scenes work to ensure the smooth running of the organisation. 

  "Some wish to live within Church or Chapel bell, I want to build a rescue shop within a yard of hell." Quote from C.T Studd

• Ken Lord

  Orphansaid international Role: Chairperson
  

  Ken Lord is a gift to both Orphans Aid International and the Charitable sector. As well as being a true gentleman, Ken's impressive involvements include the following...

  Ken joined Parry Field in 1980 becoming a partner with Peter in September 1980. Ken's focus is on Property and Personal law with strong interests in issues relating to the charitable sector, assisting the elderly and charitable trusts. His practice specialises in trusts and asset planning, but spans (by means of delegation) to all property, litigation and commercial law, with an interest in resource management law. 

  He has served, or is still serving, on the boards (inter alia) of YMCA Christchurch, Christian Resource Centre International, CRY For The World Foundation, Hagar New Zealand, Sexual Abuse Survivors Trust, Living Springs Trust, Garden City Rotary Charitable Trust, La Vida Youth Trust, Parry Field Charitable Foundation, Wilding Foundation, is an active member of a Rotary Club (President in 2002) as well as a keen musician and more recently - a competitive road cycling racer, chairing The Papanui Cycling Club Incorporated. 

  Graduating LLB from the University of Canterbury in 1977, he completed a BA in English and Russian literature in 2004. He takes an active part in the New Zealand Law Society, having been a member of property law committees, seminar/conference organisation committees, and is Convenor for the Trusts and Wills Committee. He is one of the contributing authors to the Lexis Nexis Law of Trusts, having written and reviewed the chapter devoted to charity law.

  “Religion that God... accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...” James Chapter 1 verse 27 – The Bible

• Primod & Heather Govender

  Orphansaid international Role: Trustees
  

  Heather and Primod Govender have been a tremendous strength to Orphans Aid International since becoming involved when Orphans Aid International was very small in 2005. 

  Primod was born in South Africa and emigrated as a teenager to New Zealand where he met his wife Heather. They have been married since 1995 with three children – Rebekah, Sara and Primod. Since 2002 they have been living in Australia. 

  Primod has a Masters in Business Administration and has been a Director of a number of commercial and charitable organisations. Primod has a passion for the work of Orphans Aid International, with a background in financial management and first hand experience in several third-world countries. He believes in practical common sense combined with not losing sight of the bigger picture. Heather has been involved in a variety of Charitable work in New Zealand and Australia, as well as business administration before becoming a full time mother. With Heather’s strong practical focus she has been a vital part of the decision making. 

  
  "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew Chapter 25 verse 40 – The Bible

• Brendan & Kathryn McNeill

  Orphansaid international Role: Trustees
  
  Married with five children and ten grandchildren, Kathryne and Brendan are company directors with a strong commercial background. They have many years involvement with mercy ministries including orphanages in Thailand and India, and micro enterprise development in Cambodia and Mongolia. 

  Both Kathryne and Brendan have served on school boards in their local community, and are in active leadership in their local church.

  “We are delighted to serve with Orphans Aid International and see it as a natural extension of our involvement with children who are most in need.”

  “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians Chapter 2 verse 4 – The Bible

• Rob Harley

  Orphansaid international Role: Patron
  

  Rob and Alison Harley have lent their weight to Orphans Aid International since 2006. Both have helped in a number of ways – the most significant being the production of the documentary “Someone, Somewhere Loves Me” which has featured twice on NZ’s TVone. 

  Rob has served previously as a Trustee for Orphans Aid International. Rob has extensive experience in investigative journalism which has seen him travel around the globe, including with Orphans Aid International. Rob is a specialist in Communication, with more than twenty six years' experience in TV news and current affairs – also having won several media awards. His television reporting has given him a unique insight into fascinating sides of life in NZ and abroad. From being in the heart of the action at the Bastion Point occupation, to the ¹81 Springbok tour, the trial of the Rainbow Warrior Bombers, the first test-tube babies born in NZ, stock market booms and busts and the inner workings of crime syndicates, just to mention just a few! 

  Rob is a successful author having written 3 books, with another one on the way. Visit www.greatjourneys.org for more information. Rob is also a sought after speaker. Rob is our Patron, giving advice and helping us in particular with media and public relations.

Volunteers

• Volunteers

  Orphansaid international Role: Volunteers
  

  Thank you so very much to all our many wonderful volunteers and supporters! 

  We’d love to be able to list everyone and every business that helps us – some help every week... but space and fear of leaving someone out prohibits. Orphans Aid International only exists because of your support!  If you'd like to help or volunteer, please go to our Get Involved page.

Staff

• Lisa Deasy

  Orphansaid international Role: Administration
  

  Lisa has been assisting us with our office – in particular the bookkeeping, since 2008. Lisa is a tremendous help with an eye for detail and a joy to have around.

• Kathryn Casey

  Orphansaid international Role: Invercargill Shop Manager
  

  Kathryn leads a fantastic team of volunteers in our Invercargill Op Shop. Kathryn's passion to help others shines through everything she does, and we so appreciate the hours of work that she pours into both serving the local community and those in more remote places.

• Hilary Campbell

  Orphansaid international Role: Dunedin Shop Manager
  

  Hilary has done an amazing job of launching and overseeing the Dunedin Op Shop. She oversees a fantastic team of volunteers. Hilary is also our adoption specialist, knowing first hand the ins and outs of NZers adopting from overseas. With a family of young children as well she is an absolute legend!