Martin, Vashti, Joseph and Jessie Downs

Project O was founded and is directed by Martin and Vashti Downs. Martin and Vashti, both born in England, developed their commitment and passion for helping disadvantaged children through their experiences working in the ghettos of New York, and in their travels over five continents, where they saw at first hand the depravations being experienced by children, through no fault of their own.

South Africa is the AIDS and Orphan capital of the world. Martin’s earlier experiences working with HIV/AIDS and orphans in South Africa has led them to The Valley Of A Thousand Hills in Kwa Zulu Natal. Their caring commitment has led Martin and Vashti to adopt 2 South African baby boys Joseph Ukheta 3 yrs old, and Jesse Benjamin 2 yrs old.

Project O Board of Directors

The Project O Board is made up of 6 multi-national members all of whom reside in South Africa.

• Vashti Downs - Vashti has experience working with NGO’s focusing on children in the worlds toughest places in a very unique manner. From the inner city of Brooklyn New york to the garbage dumps of Thailand and the Phillippines she has gathered a vast amount of experience and knowledge that is daily transferred to the operations at Project O in South Africa.
• Nthabiseng Mbhele - A zulu speaking Sesotho woman originally from the Valley of a thousand hills, now resident in Cape town reading accountancy. Nthabiseng remains actively involved in the work of Project O at all levels.
• James Senior - Orginally from the UK James and his family are pioneers founding and directing a large scale children’s work in cape town south africa. As a former business man with a wealth of life experience he is an ideal candidate for his role as secretary.
• Pat Blair -  From the east coast of USA Pat is a mature, experienced and well connected individual that is very well connected and known in the Zulu communities where Project O set up its work. She is a leader that has paid the price for many years and also has a vast wealth of experience to learn from.
• Andrew Wartnaby - A founder and director of another NGO in the Kwa zulu Natal province, andrew has vast experience and has learned valuable lessons while working and living in the Zulu community for many years.
• Martin Downs - Founder and director of Project O Martin brings some unique attributes to the operation. He has travelled/worked in over 55 countries on 6 continents, is a Guinness world record holder in skydiving. His Motto  ‘You shall pass through this life but once- do something!” is one that is gaining the work of Project O national and International recognition in the form of newspapers, magazines, radio and now television.

Additional administrative support is currently being provided two volunteers based in the UK.

Much of the development work and promotional/marketing work for Project O has been financed mainly through personal and private funding to-date. It is envisaged that much of the promotional work being undertaken at present will secure more substantial financial resources for the project to be successful and sustainable.