Teignbridge-based charity, the Bumala Trust, is trying to raise money to help children in Bumala, Kenya, who have been orphaned after their HIV-infected parents have died. Through donations from residents, organisations and schools in the district, 40 children have now been sponsored. They receive their school uniforms, shoes, food and toiletries. The trust is desperate to help more orphans and needs more sponsorship. Trustees from the charity will be fundraising at Kingsteignton Ram Roasting Fair, Oakford Lawn on Monday. 'We have a list of orphans who need to be sponsored,' said Janet Desmond, of the Bumala Trust. '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. 'At present, we have 22 on our books that need sponsoring. '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.' Mrs Desmond and Anne Wills, who is also a trustee of the charity recently visited Bumala to see the sponsored children 'When we arrived in Bumala the sponsored orphans came down the road to welcome us and sang and danced for us,' said Mrs Desmond. 'Anne took out two puppets and they loved them. Being sponsored makes such a difference to their lives as they can't afford school uniforms and need them to go to school. Education is vital for survival.' The trustees also took out donations and gifts from local schools and organisations including Newton Abbot primary schools Decoy and Bradley Barton. Through the trust, Decoy Primary School has twinned with Masebula Primary School and is raising money for a new classroom to be built at Masebula. Bradley Barton Primary School has also got involved and has sponsored an orphan and has twinned with Namwitsula Primary School. In the future the trust hopes to build workshops. 'We have bought a piece of land and want to build workshops where they can learn carpentry, bicycle repair and sew,' said Mrs Desmond. 'They are also building a new road nearby, so this will help them trade. 'Our aim is to give these children a sense of belonging and a future.' To make a donation to the Bumala Trust, go to the ram roasting fair and visit its stall from 1pm. Alternatively, call Janet Desmond on 01626 352773 or email [email protected]">[email protected].
