Editor Denise S Cahill is in Kenya volunteering for Nakuru Hope.
WHEN Town of Mosman Park councillor Andrew Baird arrived at the Nakuru Hope project in Kenya last month, he had no idea the impact he would have.
Mr Baird, who volunteered at Gabriel’s school with his wife Tanya, said the biggest surprise was learning about the significant support the project gave to the families of its students.
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READ NOW“When a family’s home suffered a collapsed wall school staff and volunteers built a new room using timber and iron, adjacent to the existing one room house of mud walls and a mud floor,” he said.
“This family consists of one lady, her eleven children and two grandchildren.
“Amazingly, these 14 people aged from eight months to 49 years live in one room with one double bed.
“We cleaned the house and purchased a second bed for the new room.”
Nakuru Hope educates five children from the family, including Miriam who has cerebral palsy and attends a special boarding school.
The project, founded by South Fremantle resident Susan Saleeba, provides education for 260 children and provides a safe home for 50 children at its orphanage.
Mr Baird, who is on the Nakuru Hope board, said some of the orphans had experienced severe trauma before coming to Gabriel’s.
“Most have been the subject of neglect and abuse, even sexual abuse,” he said.
“It’s amazing to see these children thrive in the school environment despite their backgrounds.”
Ms Saleeba said it was great to show Mr Baird what the project had achieved and how donations and sponsorship could make such a difference.
Visit www.nakuruhope.org.