Who we are

Matrons/Patrons

	My name is Anna Maria Miwanda Bagenda and I am from Uganda. A Mother and an exiled Journalist, I was a Refugee seeking Asylum who worked for the Salford RAPAR SRB5 PROJECT (2002-2004) as a researcher. I was rejected by the UK Asylum system and left the UK to work with orphans. I am currently in Zambia.
	My name is Gary McIndoe, and I was born in Manchester in 1966. I am married with two daughters. I returned to live in the city in 1995 after working and studying in London, then travelling and working around many countries, including Brazil, New Zealand, Indonesia, Israel, Burma and India. I hold a law degree from Westminster University, and I completed my postgraduate legal studies at the College of Law in Chancery Lane. I trained as a solicitor at David Gray and Company in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, then came back to Manchester to join Thornhill Ince, where I worked until 2002. I was then appointed Director of the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, a significant not-for-profit legal advice agency. In 2004, I left to become Immigration Supervisor at Robert Lizar Solicitor in Moss Side. I left Robert Lizar in December 2007 to start my own specialist immigration practice, Latitude Law in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. We handle cases at all levels of the process – from initial application to challenges in the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, the high court and the court of appeal. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to legal aid work, and to providing quality legal advice to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. I hope to develop my work, and my links with others in the protection field, through my involvement with RAPAR.
	I am Rhetta Moran I was born in Somerset, UK in 1960. I am a Double Honours Graduand from University of Manchester, UK(1983), Rotary International Foundation Scholar, University of Dalhousie, Canada(1985-86), Economic and Social Research Council of Great Britain Scholar(1994-1996), awarded a PhD in Sociology, University of Manchester (1997) and a World Health Organisation, Geneva, Consultant (1998-2002). I was a RAPAR Co-Founder (in 2001), and am a Member of the International Sociological Association and Board Member of Research Committee 10 on Participation (current). In 2006 I co-edited the first book to be published on Doing Research with Refugees. I have worked within and across the statutory (local government, health and higher education), community and voluntary sectors for 25 years, in local national and international arenas. I am most interested in applying my communication (written, visual and verbal) skills, in good company, through the development of praxis (theory and practice) that releases human potential for constructive learning and change.
	I am Nicholas Sagovsky and I have been the Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey since 2004. I am also Visiting Professor in Theology and Public Life at Liverpool Hope University. I have has taught in Newcastle, Durham and Cambridge Universities. One of the main strands of my work has been the study of Justice: I am currently engaged in a study of The Christian Tradition and the Practice of Justice. I have long been involved in support for refugees and people seeking asylum. I was Chair of the West End Refugee Service in Newcastle and for a short time helped at the Chaplaincy in (what was then) Oakington Immigration Reception Centre. I am a member of the Citizen Organising Foundation's Independent Asylum Commission. I particularly welcome RAPAR's emphasis on empowerment for refugees and people seeking asylum, and am delighted to give what support I can to RAPAR's important work.'

Board members-Our Management Committee for 2007-2008

	Chair: My name is Zeinab Mohamed I was born in Somalia and came to the UK in 1991. I am a qualified nurse midwife and clinical instructor, and worked as the Head of Mogadishu Nursing School. Since being in the UK, I have worked for the WHO and Manchester University, Manchester Education Authority and Manchester Social Services, as a community activist and volunteer for a range of organisations, and as a consultant for the Somali Community. I was a co-founder of RAPAR in 2001 and I want to see RAPAR continuing to advocate for displaced people, to use action learning and research to highlight their needs and support them in the process of their settlement and integration with local people.
	Vice Chair: My name is Jethro Nyanjowa. I was born in Zimbabwe in 1965. I came to the UK in 2005. I can speak three languages (English, Shona and Sindebele). I am currently studying Information Technology at Mancat Openshaw Campus. I am an energetic community activist on socio-political issues and also do voluntary work with various organisations. Through RAPAR I would like to work with displaced people to ensure that their needs are catered for and are supported by the organisation as much as possible.
	Secretary: My name is Munira Mohammed and I have been living in the UK since 2001 with my family. I can speak three languages; English, Bajuni and Swahili. I have GCSE’s in Math’s, English, Chemistry and Biology, a First Diploma in Care and an AVCE in Health and Social Care and Psychology. Hopefully I shall be going to university next year to read for a degree in Social Work. Being a volunteer at RAPAR has enabled me to learn deeply and constructively about how to help clients with difficulties which will also help me during my further studies. At RAPAR everyone is treated fairly and with respect, we all value one anothers’ cultures and beliefs. This experience is improving my knowledge and is very worthwhile for me.
	Treasurer: My name is Frank McCabe. I was born in Manchester in 1953. I have completed many community and socially based course over the years and I have worked in media, industry and community and voluntary sector. I joined RAPAR in 2002. Through my role in RAPAR I want to make sure that everyone is treated equally and fairly and for everyone to respect and value one anothers’ beliefs because we are all human beings.
	Assistant Treasurer: My name is Maryam Nasir Muhammad and I was born in Somalia. I have lived in the UK since 2001. I can speak three languages (Bajuni, Swahili and English). I have done Maths and English courses. By offering my assistance through RAPAR, I want to take what I have experienced since I arrived in this country and use it to try to help other refugees seeking asylum not to go through difficulties I have been through.

Members

	My name is Kathleen Grant and I was born in Manchester.
	My name is Shaista Iqbal. I was born in London. I have A levels in English Literature, Law and Psychology. I am a LLB (Honours) Graduand from the University of East London. I came across RAPAR in July 2007 and have been intrigued to use my knowledge and skills to help and to work through RAPAR alongside displaced people.
	My name is Karel Kesel and I am from the Romani Community of the Republic of Czechoslovakia and currently living in Salford. There are many needs – and skills and abilities – in our community and there is a lot to do to ensure that we become equally participants in this country
	My name is Sylvia Lawal
	My name is Rachel Broady I was born in Manchester but grew up in London and have since lived all over the country, and in Australia. I now live in Manchester, where I am a freelance journalist and joint founder of Creative Collective, a co-operative set up with my colleagues Fran Kern and Kaye Tew, providing bespoke creative writing workshops. I graduated from Univeristy of Central Lancashire with a BA in Journalism and have an MA in Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University. I am a member of the National Union of Journalists. I use my media, creative and research skills to help RAPAR make a difference to the lives of refugees and asylum seekers, who are among the most vulnerable and attacked people in this country. They are people, who are entitled to your respect and support.

Volunteers

	Ben Hickman
	RAPAR is delighted and proud to announce that its volunteer, Sylvester Thomas, has been certificated by the Independent Asylum Commisssion for his completion of the Campaigner and Community Leadership Training. In Sierra Leone, after the end of the war during 2002, Sylvester was involved in the Child Soldier Campaign where children who had become soldiers were supported by Sylvester and other peers to give their guns in to the disarmamant units and begin to transform themselves from being warriors in the bush into young citizens. In this way, it became possible for their local communities to accept the young people back: not as threats but as the future. Sylvester had to leave Sierra Leone because of religious persecution and, with his family, is currently seeking sanctuary here: Sierra Leone's loss is the UK's gain...
	Mohamed Star Saeed
	Ibrahim Tukue
	Amir Kooshna
	Daniel Harrison
	Julie Kelly
	John Ashkaba
	Alan Pinch
	Alison Short
	Khadem Noori
	Ali Shaho
	Fuad
	Ostap Korol
	My name is Guy Lancaster and I developed and am currently maintaining the RAPAR website. I studied Computing at Manchester University and the Open University and followed this by working in Manchester with War on Want and the NHS among others. I now work as a web developer for Manchester Metropolitan University and have created websites for NGOs such as : David Anderson Africa Trust Zomi Mothers Association Manmetriders Bike users' Group CMMC Bike users' Group Socialist Health Association and also small businesses such as: the Bicycle Doctor Coop in Rusholme

If you would like to volunteer with RAPAR, please let us know (0161-834-8221 or admin@rapar.org.uk) and we will arrange to meet with you and talk it through.