‘Making a Difference…’

Backhouse Jones head to Africa to support Kenya’s Children Home

A solicitor and secretary have embraced the opportunity of a lifetime, working in a Kenyan Children's Home (formerly the Thomas Barnado House) where Backhouse Jones sponsor a little boy, Anthony George Kamau.

The Centre is home to approximately 180 children, all of whom are either orphaned, abandoned or from destitute situations. The home hosts nine individual accommodation units and a large nursery.

Legal secretary Julie Anderson and solicitor Frances Whitehead made the 10-day trip in February 2012. Julie comments "it was an absolute pleasure being able to work alongside the Centre, to sponsor Antony and see the difference our support has made. It is heart warming that through the opportunity of our sponsorship, we can make a difference to this child's life"

See below letters from Fran and Julie whilst on their travels:

Hi Ian,

Picture of us with Anthony and some of his house siblings today below.

We have had a great day today helping in the nursery, waking the babies from their sleep for tea and feeding a baby for the first time ever. Melanie (who I was feeding) had more round her face and on her hands than in her mouth! They are all proper cute though and Jules has already been blubbing!

We have also had a short tour of the orphanage and later got to meet and play with Anthony and his excited siblings! He had all of our letters and photos.

We are now just going out for tea at 'carnivore' with the other volunteers where we expect to eat lots of exotic meats!

They have put a full programme together for us all week - tomorrow we are in the crèche and nursery again and in the evening it is the weekly fellowship when all the kids come together for a weekly assembly.

It is currently 24 degrees and the sun is just going down.

All the best from Africa!

Fran

9 February 2012

Jambo Ian,

We had our last day at the orphanage today. We spent the morning in the kitchen removing gravel from the rice (see picture of Julie) then served lunch to the school children and staff.

This afternoon we were in the nursery. While Julie was looking after the very young babies I was with the slightly older ones. At one point I was in charge of 17 babies and toddlers!

Later we took the scrapbook and gifts to Anthony and his house family. He was made up with the scrapbook and 'mecano' set Julie had bought him. Ann had given Julie some money to treat Anthony and with this we took him and his sister Caroline for cakes and soda on Saturday and also purchased him a watch which he was absolutely delighted with. All the children were excited to see pictures of Coco too.

The other gifts were shared out between the house children and we left the clothes for their house mother Mama-Sue to divide out.

I am off to bed now. We are up mega early for safari. If you don't hear from us by Friday there is a chance we have joined the Masai tribe!!!

I take it from James' email it's been cold over there?! It's 29 degrees here! On that note I'll go.

Best wishes to everyone

Fran

13 February 2012

The Kenya Children's Home projects are supported by the Balcraigg Foundation. To support the charity or for further information, visit www.kenyachildrenshome.org.uk or contact Julie Anderson on 01254 828300 or email Julie@backhoues.co.uk