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About Us

La Vida


La Vida distributes grants for projects such as student scholarships, medical training, school expansions and community health education. La Vida has an impressively low cost base with 97% of the funds raised going directly to our projects. Everyone working for the charity, including the trustees and executive committee, gives their time on a voluntarily basis.


The Trustees

From left to right:

  • Aneli Gonzalez - Treasurer
  • Rosie Bichard - Trustee
  • Lisa Smart - Trustee
  • Katy Vatis - Co-founder and Chair
  • Helen Ilsley - Co-founder and Secretary

The Executive Committee

From left to right:

  • Della Deme - Head of Fundraising
  • Kessey Esteves - Head of Events
  • Karina Damasio - Marketing and Executive Event Co-ordinator
  • Carla Bloom - Creative Director
  • Marta Rodriguez - Head of Projects
  • Kelly Breslin - Head of Volunteering (not pictured above)

Other La Vida volunteers

  • Tracey Falero - Accountant
  • Christine Turner - Logo design
  • Claire Perfect - Leaflet design
  • Andrew Dinesen - Website design and implementation
  • Fiona Courtenay-Evans - Project Assessment consultant
  • Kristy Ilsley - Photography
  • Susannah Dale - Translator
  • Andrew Bloom - Newsletter design