Our Team
Rita Año Olivera
Rita has been an integral part of the Living Heart team since 2008. She is a qualified nurse who specialises in nutrition and women’s sexual health. Born in the mountains and raised in the Sacred Valley, Rita boasts an extensive knowledge of natural remedies, local plants & herbs, organic gardening and harvesting – to mention but a few of her many talents. As a fluent native Quechua-speaker Rita is now Living Heart’s primary liaison with the communities and instrumental in helping us to set up new projects and monitor progress.
Heather Buchanan
Following on from a life changing 6 months of voluntary work, working on organisational development and healthcare programmes with Living Heart, Heather returned to Scotland to change her role as an area manager in Boots UK, to allow her to continue to work with Living Heart remotely, returning to Peru each year. As a pharmacist, healthcare remains close to Heather’s heart. Heather is the treasurer of Living Heart and continues to provide support in all aspects, including fundraising, whether in the UK or Peru.
Fani Karaivanova
Fani joined our team in November 2011 and, as the manager of Living Heart, is responsible for all ongoing and future projects, as well as the day-to-day operation of the NGO. She comes from Bulgaria but has spent several years living in Peru. Fani is trained as a sustainable tourism specialist in Germany and has worked on international development projects in Afghanistan. Through her compassion for the local people, deep understanding of sustainability and her knowledge of the Andean life philosophy, she hopes to make a valuable contribution to the NGO in achieving its goals to improve development of the children in the Andes.
Ineke Vollenberg
Ineke arrived in Peru from Holland in May 2011 and instantly felt at home. Since August 2011 Ineke has worked in the Living Heart office as part-time administrative support and all-round organisational whizz! Using her experience as a legal secretary Ineke works closely with Heather on organisational development. Ineke has helped Living Heart take a step towards its next stage of development & growth, and uses her knowledge and passion for organic gardening to support our latest greenhouse project – helping educate the adults and children in growing and harvesting vegetables and compost making.
Sabrina Alcocer
Born and raised in Arequipa, Southern Peru, Sabrina has always felt a keen desire to work in an area that helps her fellow countrymen and women. Since early 2011, Sabrina has been the Manager of Hearts Café in Ollantaytambo and an ambassador for Living Heart projects. Passionate and personable, Sabrina takes great delight in raising Living Heart’s profile and helping spread the message of the work that we do. An experienced catering manager, Sabrina effectively runs Hearts Café as a private self-contained business providing considerable support and publicity for Living Heart with the profits going to Living Heart.
Susanna Webber
Susanna Webber is a key member of the UK Board of Trustees and helps to run our UK Registered Charity, Living Heart. Susanna is a professional photographer and actively helps to fundraise by selling her range of blank photographic greeting cards called andean images and trades as susanna price images.
Jessica Hoult
A passionate linguist & modern languages graduate, Jess worked for Living Heart in 2011 on everything from administration to project coordination, translating, web design & marketing! Eager to put her linguistic and organisational skills to use in all areas, Jess has helped develop and implement the exciting new Educational Greenhouse Project, as well as keeping things running smoothly in the office. Enthusiastic & passionate about life in Peru, Jess is now back in England.
Martin Siccla Baca
Martin has been our long-term, professional driver since the inception of Living Heart! A Quechua-speaking native of the Sacred Valley, he is indespensable with his knowledge of the local terrain, familiarity of the roads, and understanding of the Peruvian culture.