Who We Are

All of the following roles are voluntary positions.

Steve Argent (Melbourne & UK)

OrphFund Founder

In 2006 I decided to quit my job, sell my house and do something that would make a difference in the world. For years I had worked for many of the larger charities and found myself increasingly frustrated with the manner in which they all seemed to inefficiently spend their funds. I felt I could prove that charity can be powered by the passions of good people on a volunteer basis.

My goal was to establish the most effective, honest and unique charity out there. We have a great team of hard working, inspiring people behind us who are all making this a reality. We are working and running innovative projects in very remote and desperately poor regions, and bringing new opportunities to children around the world.

Each project continues to leave me amazed at how ridiculously fortunate we are to have life's basics needs at our fingertips, whilst billions struggle everyday.

I am happy, proud and incredibly lucky to be doing what we do at Orphfund and know that our efforts will make a lasting impact on children all around the world, long into the future.

 Leah Bailey-Argent (Melbourne)

Products and Markets - Australia

Since 2007 I have been part of the Orphfund team and during this time I have been fortunate to have experienced a number of our projects. The thing I admire most about Orphfund is the way it is run by such passionate, selfless and determined people. This helps Orphfund run and deliver honest and personal projects that really reach out to some of the neediest children. To see the impact our work has on the amazing kids we help really makes all of our efforts worthwhile!

Anne Sophie Cardinal

OrphFund Israel Co-ordinator

I feel truly lucky to have taken part in 3 of Orphfund’s projects: Cambodia (2006), Sierra Leone (2008) and Kenya (2009). I also help coordinating a branch of Orphfund in Israel.

Everyone knows there are great problems in this world and that they cannot be solved in one day. However, being a volunteer for Orphfund, whether it be as a fundraiser, as an awareness-raiser or out there on the building sites, makes me feel like I’m doing my best to contribute to the betterness of this world. Why else are we on this Planet if we’re not supposed to do good around us and help those in need?

For me, taking part in Orphfund projects has allowed me to meet like-minded people, to learn new languages, to experience and see how most people on Earth are living, to push my personal limits, to create meaningful friendships with locals, to travel with purpose and to continue having the certainty that things in the world can improve.

Claire Davies (Melbourne)

Fundraising Co-ordinator

I have been volunteering for Orphfund since it began in 2006. Watching this organisation grow from a simple idea backed with an incredible amount of passion has been an invaluable period of my life. It has influenced my perspective and changed my entire direction. Orphfund has expanded my confidence in the aid industry as a whole, where previously my trust had been lost. Our work has changed the lives of hundreds of children and it is perpetually inspiring to see it done with the passion, honesty and financial frugality that is the ethos of Orphfund.

Hilary Tilmouth (Cheshire, United Kingdom)

Graphic Designer

I am a graphic designer in the UK working as a volunteer for Orphfund. I do so because I believe very much in everything Orphfund stands for, and admire its determination to get every single penny or cent from a donation to the children and places who most need it. Orphfund is an inspirational charity with a passionate and hardworking team, one that I am proud to be able to offer my services and be part of.

Ryan Clark (Melbourne)

Campaign Co-ordinator

I was introduced to Orphfund by a friend in 2008 when I was looking for a charity to benefit from a community leadership project I was completing. To find out more about the charity I paid a visit to its stall at the St Kilda Night Market. I was instantly taken by the honesty of the projects and the happiness of the children I saw in Steve's photography. What also impressed me was the style in which Orphfund seemed to operate.

Just seven short months later, I was on my first project in Kenya, beneath an African sun, with a shovel in my hand, digging the foundations for a brighter future of 86 little ones. Orphfund really shows what can be done with a few individuals caring in a common goal and enjoying the freedom to do so.

Elaine Argent

Secretary (UK)

It has been very inspiring to have seen Orphfund grow from its start in 2006. Steve has worked with a determination and desire to make Orphfund into a charity everyone can be proud of. We have a fantastic group of people helping take Orphfund further enabling our work to reach out to many more communities and children around the world.

Ziv Gan Or

Orphfund Israel Co-ordinator

Three years ago, I met an OrphFund volunteer on a bus in Vietnam. Her stories about their recent project in Cambodia amazed me and pushed me to join these great people in their efforts to help the poorest and neediest children on this planet. Together with that volunteer, who is now my wife, we established OrphFund in Israel.

I can definitively say that participating in the OrphFund project in Kenya was one of the most significant things I have done in my life. To see how people live in poverty and insecurity, to live it for a short while with them, and to know that soon their lives will be completely changed thanks to our efforts, is priceless. They need help, and we can provide it, as simple as that, it doesn't take much.

With small efforts we can make an enormous change in their lives. If you care about this world, and you want to help in the most direct way, you belong with us.