Janet Johnston

Janet is a founder Trustee of NOTDEC UK and responsible for the overall management of the sponsorship scheme for all the children.  She also herself handles the day-to-day tasks for 110 children while Kay communicates with the sponsors of the latest 20 arrivals.

Janet works closely with The Director Editor and her team at NOTDEC Uganda — speaking to Annah (NOTDEC's Accountant) by telephone virtually every week.  This helps Editor make decisions quickly without forgoing input and advice from NOTDEC UK.  In addition, it keeps Janet's finger on the pulse of events and thinking at NOTDEC Uganda — enabling her to alert the Trustees if need be, and/or to inform sponsors where this is constructive.  She also generally briefs individual sponsors about issues affecting the particular child(ren) they sponsor.

Back in the mists of time, Janet actually set up the child sponsorship scheme from which NOTDEC UK developed.  In 2002 Janet and her husband Anthony visited their youngest son who was working in Uganda.  While they were there, they decided to visit Kagando Hospital, Kagando Primary School and “Dorothy’s Orphanage” situated close by.  (St Paul’s Leamington Spa had raised money for these organizations at a Missionary Gift Day a few years earlier.) They were shocked by what they found at the orphanage.

Dorothy was looking after lots of children but really struggling to provide even basic care for them. On their return to Leamington, they showed video of their visit in a church service.  After the service, two friends approached Janet and suggested setting up something to help Dorothy with the costs of looking after all those children  With help and advice from others, Janet set up the Child Sponsorship Scheme — and NOTDEC UK was born.