Our Team
Massimo Gini, Chairman and Founder
I founded Sustain for Life (The Eurochange Charity) in 2006. During visits to some of the poorest and least developed parts of the world, I saw first-hand the lack of opportunities for children and other vulnerable people. I committed to helping the poorest of the poor by giving them the tools and skills to create a better future for themselves. I was amazed at how even a little bit of funding could make such a transformative difference to the lives of those existing in extreme poverty. Frustrated by seeing the amount of charitable funding that was wasted on unnecessary expenditure I made a pledge to fund the entire running costs of Sustain for Life to ensure that 100% of income would go directly to the people who need it the most. I travel to our projects regularly and encourage our partners and donors to get involved directly. It’s our collective duty to help our fellow human beings, particularly the vulnerable and underprivileged, so hope that many others will join me in supporting projects through Sustain for Lifeand help to create a better world for us all.
Abigail Akirapa, Programme Manager
In my previous role of programme manager at Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) Uganda, I supported VSO volunteers to offer services to reduce poverty and improve lives in some of the poorest, most disadvantaged communities in Uganda. The Batwa community from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwest Uganda created the ‘rendezvous’ point between Sustain for Life and myself. I am 100% behind Sustain for Life’s vision and mission and through my role hope to shape initiatives that are impactful and help countless others improve their circumstances through self-sufficiency. When I was growing up and at University, I had never imagined I would get so deeply involved in working with communities, trying to ‘change the world, one step at a time’. However, life has brought me circumstances and challenges that have significantly shaped the person I am today. I am a dedicated Ugandan woman who is passionate about creating opportunities for vulnerable women, children and youth. I have worked in development for about 15 years now, with a progressive career path, rising from junior to senior positions through the years. I have gained experience in international development by working with state and non-state actors, both at the lower and national levels. I have worked for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Papua New Guinea, Child Fund International in Uganda and the VSO. My development career has partly been shaped by the African proverb: “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.” Together, we can create the change we want to see, one step at a time.
Martin Bichachi, Project Officer, Uganda
I was born in 1969 in the town of Mbale, Uganda, but have lived and worked in Kampala for over 20 years. My family was unable to pay school fees so I had to drop out and find a way of earning a living to care for my disabled mother. My mother has suffered with leprosy for 35 years and I’ve had to single-handedly support her as my father abandoned us when I was quite young. Without an education, I was forced to work as a market boy in Kampala, until I was identified by one of my clients as someone with potential. In 1996, I joined AVSI, an Italian NGO, to work with young offenders and have been working with these boys and girls since – restoring hope to these otherwise forgotten youth. Despite my lack of an official degree, I can proudly say that I am now an experienced social worker. My role for Sustain for Life is to make sure that the charity’s funding reaches the people it is intended for and follow those people to make sure that our support makes a big impact on their lives. I also play a key role in implementing projects, especially those that deal with training and educating vulnerable youth, such as those in the remand homes. I hope that Sustain for Life will be able to set up a halfway home for children who have nowhere to go once being released from prison. I also hope that the charity will be able to empower the Batwa community so that they are able to know their fundamental human rights. I have always loved to help others because of the situation my mum has lived with. She has always inspired me by her willingness to live despite the circumstances. Sustain for Life has given me an opportunity to reach those less fortunate than me and to see lives of people change for the better.
Gerry Hutchinson, UK
After a long career in the Armed Services involving travel to some fairly exotic places, I eventually joined Eurochange plc towards the end of the 90s. Through this I met Massimo and became involved with the Sustain for Life vision at a very early stage. It has been a rewarding experience (if somewhat ‘seat-of-the-pants’ at times). I am pleased to be part of a very small but dedicated team, which gives its best and turns its hand to almost any aspect in support of an earnest desire to make a difference for some of the poorest people in the world. At Sustain for Life, in everything we do, a little goes a long way. “It is a peculiarity of this age that humility and gentleness are often taken as some form of weakness. Frequently, they indicate precisely the opposite – great strength!” - David Yallop
Jo Kroes Randell, Head of Development, UK
I help Sustain for Life find funding and partners so that we can support more projects and individuals in developing countries. With many years experience as a professional fundraiser, most recently for a high-profile international NGO, I became discouraged with the amount of money that was wasted on unnecessary expenditure. I am proud that every penny raised for Sustain for Life goes directly to help people that need it the most. We might not be able to change the world overnight, but we can have a huge impact on the lives of others, one person or community at a time. “Be the change you want to see in the world.”- Mahatma Gandhi
Patrizio Ziggiotti, Head of Development, Italy
I am a long-time friend and business partner of Massimo Gini, the founder of Sustain for Life. When Massimo told me about the charity, his newest and most passionate venture, I was immediately captured. Here was a chance for me to do something personally, to learn more about how charities operate and find out how to maximise my own philanthropy. I am very pleased to have travelled, seen and understood how much we can do, and how difficult and complex it is to do it properly. I live in Milan, am happily married, have three fantastic children, speak English, French and Spanish, and love tennis, nature, and good food and people. I graduated from the University of Milan and attended a Program for Management Development at Harvard in 1984. I have enjoyed various professional roles, worked in many different sectors and countries and have travelled the world extensively. My last position before starting my own company in 1993 was CEO of a Swiss multinational group active in the duty free shops business worldwide. I am glad to apply my professional experience to furthing the mission of Sustain for Life.
