Sonrisa has welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees, all of whom are ex-volunteers at the Centre for the Working Girl (CENIT) in Quito.

The new members - Rina Sinha, Alex Iltchev and James Hall - will replace long-standing Trustees Keith Lawrey, Margaret Morris-Marsham and Penny Treadwell.

Sonrisa’s incoming and outgoing Trustees: (l-r) Tom, Andrea, Katherine, Penny, Rina, Keith, James, Kati (sitting)

Mrs Treadwell said that although she was sad to be stepping down as a Trustee, she was aware that the occasion marked a new chapter in the charity’s development.

“This is what we’ve always aimed to achieve - a Board of Trustees that consists of ex-volunteers,” she said.

Her view was echoed by Mr Lawrey, who added that although he had visited CENIT, it was the ex-volunteers who had experienced the day-to-day needs of the centre in Quito.

The incoming Trustees were welcomed and the outgoing Trustees thanked at last night’s Trustee meeting held in London. 

As well as ensuring as much money as possible is raised in the UK for CENIT, the new Trustees want to welcome more ex-CENIT volunteers to Sonrisa.

A reunion for ex-volunteers is provisionally planned for September 2 2006. Further details will be available soon.