Kerry’s update News on work helping African children
ORPHANAGE FOUNDER TO GIVE TALK IN VILLAGE ON CHANGES TO CHARITY
A STRETTON woman who left the UK to start an orphanage in Kenya 15 years ago is to give a talk in the village this weekend.
Kerry Watson will be hosting
“An Audience with Mama Kerry” at the Priory Centre in Church Road on Saturday, February 26, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
The event comes as her charity, Footprints Family, undergoes changes related to the Kenyan authorities reforming their policies for children in care, which will see extended family members such as grandparents caring for youngsters.
Footprints will adapt to become a pre-school and the charity has acquired more land to provide accommodation for children as they become adults. However, it will continue to support Kerry and the children in their new lives.
Paul Spencer, a trustee of Footprints Family, said this weekend’s event would help introduce people to Kerry and the work she does, with the hope that they would go on to support the charity.
Describing her as the “effective CEO” of Footprints Family, he said: “If you have never met Kerry, come along.”
Like many charities, the pandemic has hit Footprints Family hard. For two years running it has had to cancel a pre-christmas ball held at the St George’s Park Hilton Hotel near Burton that used to raise more than £20,000 each year.
Last year, when she was unable to fly back to Kenya after visiting family in Burton due to Covid restrictions, Kerry raised hundreds of pounds through a fun triathlon, by walking, swimming and cycling to reach the 4,000 miles it would take to get back to Kenya.
Saturday’s event at the Priory Centre runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm and everyone is welcome. People can also get more information by calling Paul on 01283 561566.