Through her work as a journalist she has built up specialist knowledge of agricultural, food and health industries. Keen to develop her growing passion for community development, Kirsty spent three months working and living in one of North-East Brazil’s poorest communities.Most recently she worked as a communications officer for United Way Ghana in Accra. There she helped the organisation support donors and NGOs in delivering improvements in health, education and resource mobilisation. She is currently completing a Masters degree in International Communications and Development at City University, London. Although based in London, Kirsty continues to work as PR and Communications Director for VPWA and also writes for NGO News Africa (www.ngonewsafrica.org), one of VPWA's flagship projects.