Davy is an Associate Professor at the Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences where he is currently doing research concerning vulnerable people in China. He cares deeply about disabled people and he worked closely with Jill to set up Firm Foundations Training Centre. Previously, Davy worked as a public prosecutor.
Jill
Former Executive Director
Jill moved to China in 1994 and spent several years studying Chinese and establishing a busy office to support Christians working in China. She was given the vision for Firm Foundations in November 2001, and since then has spent many years setting up and establishing this project. Previously Jill worked in the UK as a Maths Teacher, and afterwards in church and community work. She is currently at home in the UK raising awareness and doing fundraising for Firm Foundations.
Kym
Executive Director
Kym moved to China in 2005 and studied Chinese in Xi'an. Previously a high school teacher in Australia, she joined the Firm Foundations staff team as the Training Manager in 2007. At the beginning of 2008 she took over as Acting Executive Director while the ED returned home to the UK. In August 2008 she was appointed as the new ED.
Sherry
Accountant and Deputy Head Teacher
Sherry joined the team in October 2006 after working for several years as a teacher at the University of Politics and Law in Nanchong. Now a qualified accountant, Sherry oversees and records all financial matters for Firm Foundations. She gives the students their weekly allowance and oversees the small student shop. She is also involved in teaching the students Business Skills. Sherry is the Deputy Head Teacher and fills in when the Head Teacher is away.
Rachel
Training Manager
Rachel joined our staff team in September 2007 as a teacher, but later took on the Training Manager role. She is in charge of overseeing the training program, making monthly adjustments to the timetable, arranging special events and training, co-ordinating the writing of reports and checking our training records. She also teaches the students and has a pastoral care role.
Queena
Occupational Therapist and Dorm Manager
Queena is an Occupational Therapist from Canada who has a lot of experience in a variety of settings. She has already been supporting Firm Foundations since the latter half of 2007 with regular visits and assessments of our students. She now is part of our team and is helping us to make the students even more independent. She is also responsible for training local staff and managing the house parents, as well as making regular visits to the dorm.
Zoe
Cleaner and Logistial Support
Zoe joined the staff in October 2006. She keeps the office and training centre spotless! On Wednesdays she takes the role of house mother while the house parents have a day off. Zoe also helps keep the school running smoothly by helping out with a lot of odd jobs.
Heather
Disability Affairs
Heather joined the staff team in March 2007. She cares passionately about the needs of people with disabilities. Heather supervises the students' daily rehabilitation exercises and sources and orders all specialist equipment needed by the students to increase mobility and assist with everyday life skills. She also teaches Personal Development and is responsible for arranging visas for our foreign staff members.
Cherry
Translator
Cherry joined the staff team in July 2007. She has a bubbly personality and is a very skilled translator and interpreter. She is also responsible for liaising with government agencies and for teaching the students maths.
Stephanie
Receptionist
Stephanie joined the Firm Foundations staff team in September 2007. Apart from answering the telephone and giving a warm welcome to our visitors she also has a myriad of other jobs that help our training centre to function smoothly. She also teaches the Chinese Language class to our students.
Mr Lan and Mrs Pu
House Parents
Mr Lan and Mrs Pu joined the staff team in August 2008. They have a grown up son of their own and are responsible for managing the dorm and providing a safe and friendly environment for the students. They model many important daily life skills and the students are given increasing responsibilities as their abilities increase.
International Representatives
Jenny
UK Representative
Jenny loves working with children and has been a primary school teacher for many years, with a break while her family were young. She spent a few years working as a secretary in the office of her local church, and two years working in an International School in China. Jenny is based in the UK but she visits Firm Foundations on a regular basis and is enthusiastic to encourage support for the Training Centre.
Kenny & Lanita
Australia Representatives
Kenny and Lanita worked at Firm Foundations Training Centre in 2005-6. They have now returned to Australia where they are representing Firm Foundations in their spare time.
Alison
Australia - NSW Representative
Alison came to Firm Foundations in 2008 for 2 months to volunteer as a staff trainer. Since returning to Australia she has volunteered to represent Firm Foundations in NSW Australia in her spare time.
Our Staff
