Northiam student Natasha gets set to help African orphans

Natasha is among a small group of students from Homewood School and Sixth Form College, Tenterden who are travelling to the underprivileged community of Subbi, near the capital, Kampala, this October.

They will be working with the children from local orphanages by helping to build and restore classrooms. Some of the group will also work in the orphanages helping to look after the children.

Estimates show that 51% of the population of Uganda is made up of children under 14 years of age. It is believed that there are now over two million parentless children because of the AIDS epidemic and over half the population live below the poverty line.

The students have been working hard to raise the £1,500 each need to take part in the visit, by cake-making and car washing. This month they are taking part in a sponsored sleep out by sleeping in cardboard boxes, which will also help them to understand the everyday problems for young Ugandans. Some have also raised funds by part-time work and baby-sitting.

Natasha approached Rye and District Lions Club to see if they would be willing to make a donation towards the visit and they responded with a £150 donation. Rye Lions President Terry Cobby said: “We are always pleased to donate to worthy causes when we can, particularly where the person making the request has done a considerable amount themselves to raise funds.

“Whilst the Lions are pleased to help international appeals, and last year we donated 16% to such appeals, we also support national appeals with 9% and most of the money we raise goes to local charities and last year this was 75% of the £14,000 we raised.”

Rye Lions are in the final stages of planning the Annual Rye Raft Race and Fete which this year takes place on Sunday August 5 and any organisation wishing to enter a raft should ring Bob Harvey on 0845 833 2825 to obtain an entry pack. Organisations and businesses wishing to book stall spaces should ring Reg Emson as soon as possible on 01797 224174, as there are only a few spaces remaining.

Natasha is pictured right with Terry Cobby from Rye Lions.