More about our new Chief Executive – Lorraine Currie

Lorraine Currie knew from the age of seven that she wanted to help people in the world’s poorest places improve their lives – so now heading up SCIAF, Scotland’s leading international development charity, you could say is a dream come true. 

She said:

“I remember when priests and sisters working in the missions used to come into our classrooms and talk about the work they were doing in Africa. I loved it. I remember thinking to myself, ‘I want to do that when I grow up.’” 

And that she did. As SCIAF’s new Chief Executive, Lorraine brings to the job over 30 years of experience in international relief and development work. Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, South Sudan, Uganda, Lebanon: you name it, she’s worked there. 

On working at SCIAF, where she’s been for 13 years as Director of Programmes, she said:

“Understanding the local context, culture and religion is essential in order to co-create relevant programmes that both meet the needs but also build on the assets and strengths of the communities we serve and addresses the environmental and structural issues that negatively impact their lives.  

“Every country and every people – their needs and strengths are different. SCIAF, together with local expertise develops local solutions that make a real and lasting difference to the lives of the communities we serve.”  

Lorraine’s deep Catholic faith is also at the centre of her role – and her life. 

“We encounter Christ through our everyday experiences. Jesus’ face has the shape of human faces, of companions in our ordinary day reality.   

“As Pope Francis says in Fratelli Tutti, ‘What life have you if you have not life together? There is no life that is not in love, friendship and community.’ Christ called his disciples to sit and eat with him and called them friends. He also instructed us to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ and ‘love one another as I have loved you’.” 

This kind of life and friendship means it's important for SCIAF to foster relationships with those in need and show kindness to them which leads to a ‘culture of encounter’ with Christ.  

“Being able to serve people and live out our Christian values where we have mutual respect, trust and goodwill with our local partners and communities that builds solidarity and encounter Christ together in our everyday work is a great privilege and inspiring; it motivates me.”  

Lorraine is also very proud to take up the role and is grateful to SCIAF’s many supporters. 

“Without the support of individuals in schools and parishes, it wouldn’t be possible for SCIAF to make the impact it does on communities overseas. I’m overwhelmed at the unwavering love, generosity and compassion our supporters show for the people we serve, standing in firm solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world.

“I hope we can go back to our roots and get more involved at the Parish and school level. One thing however, that remains constant, is our service to partners and participants across the world. Our sisters and brothers overseas continue to suffer in the face of extreme climate change and other global challenges, and in response, SCIAF continues to support them in all that we do.”