About Us

Lillian has been with the Rural Youth and Adult Literacy Trust since April 2022.  Starting as a Support Coordinator, Lillian quickly transitioned into the role of Community Coordinator, in charge of community outreach, making sure that people with a literacy problem can find out about our service.  She also oversees administration, logistics, volunteer coordination, the contact centre and the ambassador team.

A proud Port Waikato local since 2019, Lillian was drawn to the Trust due to her own personal experiences with literacy challenges – both her brother’s ongoing struggles with dyslexia and her son’s neurodiversity. These experiences fuel their passion for making a positive impact in the community. Lillian brings extensive managerial and people experience to the team, dedicated to supporting and empowering learners and volunteers across Aotearoa.

As the Student and Coach Coordinator for the Rural Youth and Adult Literacy Trust, my literacy experience has been shaped by both personal and international journeys. With a deep-rooted passion for education, I spent the last 12 years living and teaching in the United Arab Emirates, where I had the privilege of working with students from around the globe. These experiences, along with my life journey, have profoundly influenced my understanding of the diverse challenge’s students of all ages face, particularly in literacy.

I am strongly committed to supporting learners who struggle with literacy and to helping Volunteer Coaches and colleagues diversify their planning, resources, and teaching methods. My goal is to create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

Guided by a belief in the gentle power of simplicity, I try to bring this philosophy into every aspect of my life and work. At RYALT, my aim is to foster an educational environment that is welcoming and nurturing, making learning and resources accessible, meaningful, and allowing each coach and student to grow and succeed at their own pace.

Milli has been an executive assistant for over a decade. As a crochet artist and single mom, Milli developed a knack for focusing on multiple projects and always coming up with creative solutions. She thrives on finding ways to make complex ideas simple, which helps deliver results and build strong working relationships. But beyond the spreadsheets and deadlines, Milli is driven by a passion to bring creativity and enthusiasm to everything she does, whether it’s a work project or a new crochet pattern.

Byambaa has been with RYALT since 2018 as an accounts administrator. Starting as a volunteer, she transitioned into an employee role in 2019. In this role, Byambaa ensures that all financial records are accurate, and that grant money is tracked and spent on the purpose for which it is donated, supporting the smooth operation of the organization.

Originally from Mongolia, Byambaa married a New Zealander and has been a resident of New Zealand for the past 10 years. Passionate about numbers and financial management, her journey from volunteer to key team member reflects a deep commitment to supporting the organization’s goals and its community.

Hi! I’m Rory. I’m really proud to be an ambassador for RYALT. Originally from rural Southwest Scotland, I am lucky enough to now call Northland my home. I am passionate about doing what I can to aid RYALT’s cause – literacy is the foundation of social inclusion and mobility. Our literacy coaches’ commitment to the cause impresses me every time I interact with them.

My daily life is a hectic mix of practicing as a rural veterinarian, spending time with my amazing partner Mel and our two crazy fox terriers as well as staying active – I play football and run half marathons (albeit slowly)!

Originally from the Netherlands, Hetty is a trained special-needs teacher, artist and a committed volunteer. As English is her second language, she understands the complexities and challenges of learning a new language. Offering an empathetic lens as a Literacy Coach with the RYALT, she has contributed over 240 coaching hours.

One of Hetty’s strengths is her ability to create a personalised and comforting environment for her students. She enjoys tailoring lessons to their individual interests, understanding its importance in keeping them engaged and fostering meaningful connections. Hetty also values patience, open-mindedness and appreciating her students’ perspectives, allowing her to continuously learn and broaden her horizons.

Marianne is a dedicated Literacy Coach with RYALT, having coached for over 580 hours. She brings in a wealth of volunteering experiences in teaching, organising cooking and craft courses, and assisting immigrant women across Europe and New Zealand. Marianne was inspired to join the organisation in 2019 following a Seven Sharp report, highlighting the work of RYALT. She has since made a memorable impact on the students she has worked with. She values the mutual learning that comes with each student, and cherishes the ongoing relationships she has formed. Her flexibility, creativity and kindness help her meet the unique needs of each student. She finds joy in contributing to their personal growth while furthering her passion for languages and learning. 

I began my career in IT like many fellow Tamilians, diving headfirst into the world of technology. Decades later, it has grown into more than just a profession—it’s become my hobby. Whether at work or in my personal life, I find it hard to separate the two because I truly love what I do.

Beyond my professional life, I have a passion for coaching young talents, sharing my experience, and helping them grow. I also enjoy spending time outdoors—cycling, trekking, and exploring the woods, love humour and music.

As a volunteer for RYALT, I set up the 10 Minute English website, created the Coach Training moodle learning portal, and continue to find solutions to various challenges in the IT domain.

Why do I volunteer? The satisfaction of solving problems—whether they’re caused by people or machines—drives me. Helping others brings me a deep sense of fulfillment, and I feel it’s a small way to repay a country where IT resources are so valuable, and that I’m grateful to call home.

Driven by a desire to give back to the community while nurturing students, Soham joined the organisation as a Literacy Coach in February 2024. Since then, she has made a significant impact, having coached 3 students. 

With extensive experience in customer service, Soham excels at building meaningful connections with her students. Her bubbly energy and willingness to learn more about her students’ hobbies make her approachable and helps her build rapport. 

In her free time, Soham enjoys playing the guitar, tennis and reading. She is an animal lover and a self-proclaimed coffee addict, bringing positivity and cheerfulness into her role. 

I began volunteering when working for Salesforce.  They allowed staff to spend up to 7 days a year volunteering. Many people dug gardens or helped with manual tasks. I knew that my Salesforce skills, if contracted in from a System Integrator could cost several hundreds of dollars an hour whereas digging gardens could be bought in a minimum wage.

I volunteered my Salesforce skills at a number non-profit Salesforce customers and maintained my relationship with some of them when my time at Salesforce came to an end.

I signed up to the pledge 1% campaign (https://pledge1percent.org/) when I set up on my own and have actually been donating around 10% of my billable hours to non-profits ever since

Hi, I’m Matthew, the IT Manager at the trust. With over 25 years of IT experience across various sectors and 7 years with this amazing team, I’m passionate about using technology to make a difference. I also provide IT support at a call center in Hamilton, keeping my skills sharp and allowing me to help others overcome tech challenges.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my cats, going for walks, and exploring the ever-evolving world of technology. New volunteers like you are vital to our organization, bringing fresh perspectives and enriching our community. I’m excited to work alongside you and offer any support I can.

Janet is a passionate adult literacy and numeracy teacher, bringing in over 30 years of teaching experience to RYALT. Currently based in Auckland, Janet is retired but continues to make a significant impact to her community through volunteering. In her role as a Literacy Coach, she assists adult learners improve and enhance their literacy skills through online lessons. 

 Janet believes in working alongside her students, promoting their independence rather than directing their learning. She values building respectful relationships and creating an empowering environment where students feel confident to grow and succeed in their learning.