Teignbridge-based charity the Bumala Trust is holding three events to raise vital funds for the cause this month. The charity raises money for selected orphans in Bumala in North West Kenya, so that they have the opportunity to complete their education, which has been disrupted by the death of immediate family members due to HIV/AIDS. So far the charity has managed to sponsor 40 children in various schools who live with extended family members or well wishers. The founders of the charity, Janet Weyama, from East Ogwell, and her husband Peter, who lives in Bumala, believe more than 500 orphans in the area are in need of help. Last year a Hafla – an event celebrating middle eastern music and dance – was organised and raised £400 for the trust. Another has been organised at Ogwell Memorial Hall at 8pm on September 16. Those who go along will be entertained by west African drummer Nkrumah Weboah, a Siouxsie Cooper exotic tribal dancer and exhibition dances. There will also be a chance for all who attend to dance at the Hafla. Bumala Trust supporters attending will be entered into a draw to win a return tickets to Paris, courtesy of Flybe. At the second fundraiser, Yvonne Lawley will sing famous songs from the 1940s to 1960s in the Bumala Trust Sing-a-long Sunday at The Prospect Chapel, Newton Abbot, at 2.30pm on September 24. Admission is free but any donations to the charity will be gratefully received. The final event organised is An Evening with Peter Weyama at Ogwell Memorial Hall on September 30 at 7pm. Mr Weyama is on a short visit from Bumala and will be giving a talk about the trust. He is a tribal clan leader who has cares about his people and the charity. 'Sponsors can come along and meet Peter and ask questions about the charity,' said Mrs Weyama. 'Anyone who would like to find out more about the work we do is also welcome.' Despite generous donations, the charity hopes to help the orphans even more. It has purchased an acre of land on which it hopes to build training workshops for bicycle repairs, woodwork, basic market gardening and animal husbandry. Decoy Primary School also has links with the charity and is helping to raise funds to build a new classroom at a school in Bumala. 'We have a list of orphans who need to be sponsored,' said Mrs Weyama. 'It costs as little as £10 a month to give them a future. It pays for their uniform, shoes, and food and basic medical care. 'Some people sponsor an orphan without even knowing their name, others want photos and write letters to their sponsored child. 'An African committee called Noah's Ark Orphan Self Help Group select local orphans for us to help. 'We don't sponsor any child that we know we can't afford to get right through primary school.' For tickets to the Hafla, call Rebecca on 01626 208105 and for the Sing-a-long A Sunday event and An Evening With Peter Weyama, call Mrs Weyama on 01626 352773.
