Tracey Sawyer - Founder of Testigo Projects Inc and Testigo Africa

My love and passion for travel has meant that my CV is full of gaps between jobs! Over 80 countries later, the gaps became longer and longer as my idea of adventurous travel started to include lengthy stays in places where the people touched my heart. One of those places is Longido village in Tanzania. I first visited Tanzania in 2004 when I was on safari, and I discovered that much as I loved seeing the African animals, it was the Masai who really captured my imagination. Four months later I returned to Tanzania to witness a coming of age ceremony in Longido, and that’s when Namnyak and I became great friends. I now have my own mud hut next to Namnyaks, and it’s my friendship with her that has inspired me to respond to their request for help in a water project by giving up my career as a lawyer to make the project happen for the village so I can give back to these amazing people.

Anita Abbott - Public Officer

Serial volunteer which started with fundraising for Save the Children Fund as a child myself, to teaching people affected with HIV computer skills and word processing to help them get back into the workforce, to assisting with the co-ordination of the California Police Games with the Long Beach P.D., kindergarten board member and more recently school councillor and working bee co-ordinator as well as being a Foster Carer providing monthly respite.

Responsibilities: I am the main point of contact between Testigo Projects and Consumer Affairs Victoria. The consensus is that I do all the boring bits that no one else wants to do :-)

Favourite thing about Testigo: That we will be changing for the better the lives of the people in the village, especially the women, by providing running water, one of life's essential requirements - this is thrilling, it's also a terrific educational opportunity for my son to have first hand knowledge and experience of another, very different culture.

Day Job: Business Management Administration - Service Management, IT, Telstra

Passions: My family, especially my son, travel - anywhere I can, as long as it's warm, NZ sauvignon blanc, strawberries and chocolate!

Rae O'Brien - Accounts

I have been a volunteer for various organisations over the years including the Red Cross. Most recently I have concentrated on supporting community groups like my local kindergartens and primary schools.

Responsibilities: With a background in book-keeping, I am Testigo's "number" woman!

Favourite thing about Testigo: It is wonderful to be a part of Testigo and to ensure the basic needs are met for the village women - I'm doing it for the girls!

Day Job: Full-time mum to my two beautiful children.

Passions: I love family, the beach, reading, scrapbooking and chocolate!

Alli Spoor - Graphic Designer

Prior to working as a graphic designer I was a professional photographer. I love creating and enjoy a challenge! Over the years I have volunteered with local community groups and clubs including helping the Croydon Stroke Support Group with their art projects, exhibitions, and fundraising schemes, the Yarra Ranges CFA, SES and Police departments and the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club.

Responsibilities: I created the branding style for Testigo Africa and am responsible for designing all the little bits and pieces that give the project a visual presence ie. promotional materials, logo and stationery suite, newsletters and e-documents.

Favourite thing about Testigo: Tracey's enthusiasm to help the Longido Village with their struggle to access clean, running water was contagious! The concept of creating a sustainable agricultural system for the village - making such a huge difference to so many lives - was truly inspiring and something I want to be a part of.

Day Job: Graphic Designer.

Passions: My hubby, our little kitten Tuesday and our home, all things arty-farty, reading, creating, problem solving and of course chocolate!