Annabelle Chauncy OAM

Annabelle is joint founder of the School for Life Foundation (SFLF), which focuses on delivering high quality education in rural Uganda. The Foundation helps build productive and sustainable communities through education. The model is based on community ownership and empowerment, and is designed to be replicated across the developing world.

The School for Life Foundation provides the support students need, including health care, clean water, uniforms and three meals a day. Annabelle works tirelessly to ensure that SFLF continues to grow. Her energy and enthusiasm has enabled her to commence plans for the construction of two new schools in 2015, which will educate 1600 students.

Together with co-founder David Everett, Annabelle has transformed a vision into an organisation that now employs more than 50 people, educates hundreds of children and adults and provides health care and access to clean water for more than 1000 people.

Annabelle manages the Australian operations of the Foundation, overseeing staff, developing donor relationships and organising fundraising, marketing, media and events. In the past four years she has raised over two million dollars.

Annabelle grew up on a sheep and cattle farm in the Southern Highlands. She excelled at school and moved to Sydney for university. In 2007, at the age of 21, Annabelle spent 3 months volunteering in Kenya and Uganda. Her time with women's organisations, street children, medical camps and orphanages motivated Annabelle to work to help provide education for those in need. She returned numerous times and in November 2008 to March 2009. Her experience led her to found School for Life Foundation (SFLF) with David Everett in 2008.

Annabelle channelled her passion and legal experience to establish the international organisation, negotiating with the Ugandan government, local officials and village elders, assisting with recruitment of local teachers and building relationships in Australia. Annabelle worked as a nanny to support herself while the organisation and first school in Katuuso was established.