World Youth International

Ralph is a founding member of WYI and has previously worked as finance manager and major projects coordinator for over 20 years with the organisation. In 2004, Ralph became the first Australian to be awarded the Order of Nepal, the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, for humanitarian services performed in Nepal. In 2006 he was awarded the Order of Australia AM by the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency Michael Jeffery, for humanitarian services overseas.

Katy has been integral to the development and success of many of our World Youth International programs. She first joined as a Volunteer on an Overseas Action program in Kenya in 2009 and has not looked back. The experience inspired Katy to further her skills as a Nurse and Midwife and she saw that there was so many opportunities to help, teach, learn and develop vulnerable communities. She wanted more health professionals to have the same opportunities she did, and so helped us create and launch the Nurses in Action program, specifically aimed for her industry. In 2013, Katy was Team Leader on the first ever Nurses in Action programs in Kenya and has been involved in our organisation while also raising a young family and working as a Nurse and Midwife in country Victoria. Now, in her role on our Board, she will be guiding and developing our programs even further, ensuring we can continue to make a sustainable and positive impact to the communities we work within.

Terry is one of the founding members of our organisation, and has been heavily involved in all operations since 1996. As General Manager of World Youth International, he oversees all aspects of the business. Terry has worked in every part of the organisation and has travelled extensively across the globe. He has helped to prepare thousands of volunteers for their overseas adventures. Terry is passionate about contributing to sustainable development and has always ensured that World Youth International is constantly changing to remain competitive in the volunteer market. He provides a high level of guidance, knowledge, support and leadership to his team members, the Board, and our volunteers. This is not just a job for Terry, it is his passion and he is proud to represent an organisation that has provided a positive impact to vulnerable communities within Kenya, Nepal and beyond.

Rachel is a highly motivated and pragmatic business leader with 20+ years experience in the financial services industry and not for profit sector. She is currently the Executive General Manager of Commercial at Brisbane Lions FC. Her specialties include people development, business growth, positive change, leadership, coaching/mentoring, public speaking, raising funds, change transformation, corporate governance, and business negotiation.

Ann is a Founding Member of World Youth International. Her endless love, care and enthusiasm has contributed to her unwavering support and guidance in shaping the lives and dreams of the children at the WYI School and the team members of our organisation. In Kenya, Ann has also been acknowledged by the community for her work, having the Mama Ann’s Odede Community Health Centre named in her honour.

Radha is the Chairperson at the World Youth International School in Gokarna, Nepal. The benefits of her leadership, guidance and support can be seen throughout the school and wider community. Radha has been a flag-bearer for women’s empowerment in Nepal. She is a role model for female students and is seen by the women in the community as a true example of what a woman can achieve. Radha encourages, supports and guides girls to break stereotypes and to push themselves to achieve their goals.

Joanna Giles from HOG Heaven Charity Foundation has been supporting the people of Nepal since 1998 and is the proud Patron of The Sapana Dreaming Children's Home in Gokarna.

Joanna joined the WYI team in 1998 to help raise funds for the WYI School in Gokarna, Nepal. This action led onto her involvement in the construction and opening of the Sapana Dreaming Children’s Home next to the school in 2001.

Since then, Joanna has been involved in many projects in Nepal including cleft lip and palate surgeries, supporting a child care nursery and pre-school facility, supporting a home for sexually abused girls, and coordinating the installation of solar panels and water catchment dams in remote schools and villages.

Andrew Andreyev, of Andreyev Lawyers, is WYI's Honorary Legal Advisor. Andrew is a Chartered Tax Advisor with the Taxation Institute of Australia, a Fellow (and founding member of the Adelaide Chapter) of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners, and a member of the Law Societies of NSW and SA. Andrew works primarily with entrepreneurs, investors and their families, and he has a wealth of experience in practicing law in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Sanjaya is a key member of the World Youth International team. Joining us in 2008, he has spent over a decade managing our Nepal volunteer programs on the ground. Sanjaya spends 8 months a year in Nepal, and 4 months in Australia, balancing his time between both countries to ensure he can offer high quality support for our amazing team and courageous volunteers.

Fred has been a valued asset to the World Youth International team since 1994. He has a teaching degree and a Diploma in Community Health, and decades of experience managing sustainable development projects within Kenyan communities. Fred is the Chairperson of World Youth International Kenya, and manages our programs on the ground. His time and efforts in the establishment and ongoing management of Mama Ann’s Odede Health Centre is instrumental in the daily operations of World Youth International.

Ann is constantly learning from her volunteer role as administrator for child scholarship in Kenya. Ann enjoys working with our partners in Kenya, The Mango Tree, who provide education and family support to enable the children to become self-reliant, responsible young adults, who contribute to their communities and 'be the change' for future generations. Ann communicates with our sponsors, providing them with a greater understanding of life in Kenya.

Tim joined the team at World Youth International in 2011 and has been the IT guru ever since. Tim developed the World Youth International website and manages all of our online systems as well as some design work. Tim is a fantastic support to the WYI staff, helping to inform people about the great work we do overseas and how volunteers can get involved.

Bhumika was 12 years old, studying year 8, when her father gained employment at the World Youth International School. He moved the family to live in Gokarna to be closer to the School, where Bhumika also completed her education. After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies at a University in Nepal, Bhumika taught English, Social Studies and Dance at World Youth International School. In 2018, Bhumika had the opportunity to move to Adelaide to study IT and Business Analytics as well as work at World Youth International’s head office. Bhumika’s supports the team with administration and child scholarship. Her responsibilities include communicating with volunteers and providing them with information regarding their program as well as handling the finances. As a Nepal Child Sponsorship coordinator, she provides a better understanding of the life and education of the children in Nepal. She believes that World Youth International has influenced many lives and given the community visionary individuals, who are self-reliant and moving towards a brighter future.

Gabriella supports the World Youth International team with Marketing & Communications including strategic planning, media relations, digital marketing/social media, advertising and partnerships. She holds a Bachelor of Media from the University of Adelaide and has over ten years experience in marketing, media, communications and administration related roles. Gabriella is passionate about ‘giving back’, and is proud to have developed and expanded the efforts of various non-profit organisations, leading fundraising campaigns that have resulted in major grant and volunteer support of inspirational children’s charities.