Susie started her career in London at 17 as a makeup artist specialising in fashion and music videos.

It was from here she took a job as a model booker helping the careers of young models including four of the five supermodels of that time. After three years at the prestigious Elite Premier model agency, she and her best friend set up their own agency representing photographers, stylists and makeup artists.

During this time Susie had her first child, Archie, and was hit by an overwhelming emotion of being a single mum which changed the course of her career and life completely. She left the fashion industry and started her qualifications in early years education where she became passionately involved in and worked as a nursery school practitioner specialising in two to four year olds for 10 years and eventually managing and running the nursery for four years.

During this time she raised all of her three children with Robin.

After leaving the nursery Susie took a position to expand her knowledge to five to six year olds by becoming a teaching and learning assistant at the local primary school where she contributed specifically to the life of a special little girl called Gracie.
Susie realised during this time that her passion is the commitment she gives to children and to appreciate how they learn and the privilege it is to work alongside these young children the importance of manners and respect independence and having somebody know that they are totally cared for.

This is one of her driving forces through her journey.

Susie became a trustee of Umunandi in 2018, sharing her knowledge and experience and deep love of children and extending it to vulnerable children who perhaps have no voice. After her visit in 2018 to the Green Park Trust School, Susie promised the children that she would return and she would help fight their corner to the right to an education, giving them the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and have a chance to shine.

When Susie is not working for the charity you will find her expanding her knowledge in child psychology and attending her local church.

After graduating from Reading University, Robin pursued a career in the oil industry before switching to music as a recording engineer and producer working with many famous names such as Seal, Tina Turner, Simple Minds and Madonna.

Having decided to move on from music, Robin founded Wright Brothers in 2002 with his brother-in-law Ben Wright, initially as seafood merchants but branching out into the restaurant sector and more recently launching a direct-to-consumer wing of the business.

Wright brothers celebrated 20 years in business in November 2022.

After meeting Umunandi founders Mark and Ruth, through the Barn Church in Kew, Robin and wife Susie were invited to join the charity as trustees in 2018.

That year Robin and Susie, along with their sons Oscar and Harry, visited the Green Park Trust School in Lusaka and had memorable time with Felix and Lister, who set up and run the school, all the amazing children and the inspirational
team of teachers who change the lives of these children and give them a great opportunity in life.

Having overcome the challenges of Covid and lockdown, at the start of 2023 Robin stepped up to become Chair of Umunandi with the continued support of Mark and Susie.

Robin and team have recruited a fresh group of volunteers to help run the charity and the focus is now on great communication and growing our sponsorship base to enable to Green Park Trust
School to continue to thrive and bring hope to all.

Felix Sulanji Sinkala, a dedicated educator and passionate advocate for the less fortunate, was born on August 20, 1967, in the picturesque Isoka District of Muchinga Province in Zambia. Born the first-born child in a family of seven, characterized by an exceptional commitment to education and community service, a legacy left by his late father, a retired head teacher, and his mother, a retired teacher.
Growing up in the Sinkala household was a unique experience. His parents opened their doors to numerous individuals eager to pursue education, especially those hailing from remote areas devoid of educational facilities. The Sinkala family frequently accommodated as many as 21 members in their modest three- bedroom home, illustrating their unwavering dedication to fostering a love for learning.
Felix commenced his own educational journey in 1975, attending primary school in Mansa, Luapula Province. His insatiable appetite for knowledge led him to junior secondary school in 1984, where he stood out as the youngest student in his class. Continuing his educational journey, he completed his secondary education at Mungwi Technical School in Kasama, Northern Province. Despite being accepted to various colleges, the constraints of a middle-income household compelled him to forgo tertiary education.
In a testament to his resilience and determination, Felix embarked on a career as a primary school untrained teacher in one of the most remote regions of Zambia. During his tenure, he even took on the role of an acting head teacher, showcasing his natural leadership abilities. To bridge the gap in his formal education, he undertook numerous courses in teaching, school administration, management, theology, family counseling, ecology, entrepreneurship, and farming.
In 1989, Felix married his wife, Lister, and together they have raised six children, a testament to their strong family values. Three of their children have successfully completed tertiary education, while two are currently pursuing higher studies at universities, and the youngest is excelling in secondary school. Felix is also a proud grandfather to six grandchildren, three boys, and three girls.
Felix’s career in education took a remarkable turn in 1993 when he joined a private Christian school as a teacher. Through hard work, dedication, and a genuine passion for teaching, he rapidly ascended through the ranks, ultimately becoming a head teacher at a remarkably young age. Alongside his professional growth, Felix actively served as a treasurer for both his church and various organizations.
His devotion to spreading the word of God led him to work as the principal of a Bible training school from 1998 to 2001, an experience that deepened his understanding of theology and strengthened his commitment to his faith.
In 2002, Felix and his wife, Lister, were struck by a profound calling. They founded Greenpark Trust School in Lilanda Township, a shanty compound in Lusaka, Zambia, with the mission of supporting orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in the area, from primary to secondary education. To sustain their vision, they enlisted the support of two dedicated partners and enrolled a few fee-paying pupils to help cover teachers’ salaries.
The school faced significant challenges during its initial six years of operation. It grappled with the financial burden of teacher salaries, as many fee-paying students defaulted on their payments, resulting in substantial arrears. However, their prayers were answered when Mark and Ruth from the UK visited the school to check on students they were supporting.
Felix’s journey has been one of patience, persistence, and unwavering determination. He has maintained the right attitude and focus to fulfill his vision of uplifting the less fortunate. His work within the community and family has transformed lives and empowered individuals with education, providing them with opportunities to succeed in society, exemplifying his belief that ‘Education is the best equalizer’
Beyond his professional life, Felix enjoys reading, teaching, traveling, and constantly seeking new knowledge, reflecting his enduring commitment to personal growth and his community’s welfare. With his life’s story being one of dedication to education, faith, and social responsibility, Felix Sulanji Sinkala continues to inspire and uplift those he encounters.

Lister Nachande Sinkala, a compassionate and determined woman with a heart for education and community service was born on July 8, 1970, in the Isoka District of Northern Province, Zambia. Her entrance into the world as a premature baby born seven months into her mother’s pregnancy foreshadowed a life of resilience and determination.
Lister is the first-born child in a family of six. Her father’s work at the Rural Council gave her a glimpse of the importance of public service. He later made the noble decision to leave his job after his father’s passing to care for his mother, turning to farming to support their family.
Lister’s academic journey was marked by remarkable intelligence and determination. She made history when she became one of only five girls to pass their Grade Seven examinations at the Government school, while all the boys failed. Her pursuit of education continued as she entered secondary school and progressed to Form 3, equivalent to Grade 10. However, her aspirations to become a Medical Doctor were thwarted by a lack of financial support.
In 1989, Lister married her husband, Felix, and together, they raised six children, and now she is grandmother to six lovely grandchildren.
It was during their journey together that their hearts were deeply troubled by the sight of children dropping out of school due to financial constraints. In response to this calling,
Lister and Felix fervently prayed for guidance from God, who spoke to them about establishing a school to provide educational opportunities for orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in need. With unwavering determination, they left their comfortable home in Chelstone and relocated to a high-density area to fulfil this mission.

Lister and Felix invested their every effort into the Greenpark Trust School because their hearts ached to carry out God’s work. They contacted various churches, seeking out OVC and enrolling them in their newly established school. On the first day, ten OVCs entered the doors of Greenpark Trust School, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for these children. To ensure the school’s sustainability, Lister and Felix implemented a strategy that included fee-paying students. However, this approach faced challenges, as teacher salary arrears accumulated due to fee defaulters.
Lister’s has diverse certifications, which include Secondary Care Giving, Micro Enterprise in Development, Family Matters Program, Personal Evangelism, Leadership in Evangelism, and Entrepreneurship & Farming. She serves as the
OVC coordinator at the school, tirelessly looking after the welfare of the school’s children,
providing support and counselling to ensure their holistic development.
Beyond her professional and community work, Lister enjoys singing, travelling, continuously seeking to learn new things, and sharing her love for cooking. Her remarkable journey, characterized by her dedication to providing educational opportunities for the less fortunate, is a testament to the enduring power of determination, faith, and service to others. Lister Nachande Sinkala’s life story inspires and uplifts all who come into contact with her.