From the North East to Kenya with love...
A trust established and run by volunteers from the North East, which aims to help orphans and deprived communities in Kenya, has received more donations from local companies.
The Akhonya Trust is based in Mumias, Kenya and will receive 15 pallets stacked with a variety of goods including computers, workshop equipment, books, tools and clothes all donated from generous schools and businesses across the region.
Michael Elliott, a volunteer for the trust, took a day out from his role at the Vet Labs Agency in Long benton to help load a large container, which is now on its way to Kenya. He was helped by his wife Ruth Elliott, as well as Angela Wear and John Bell. Meldrum Construction donated the use of a forklift for the day, which was operated by Mark Alberts.
Michael said: “The generosity and support we have received has been amazing! It has taken us three months to collect and pack the gifts. Although this might seem like a long process it’s about a quarter of the time it took to organise our previous container, which was sent in 2006. We learnt many valuable lessons the first time round which meant we have been more organised this year. In six-eight weeks the Akhonya Trust in Kenya will receive the goods and it will all be worth it. I want to thank everyone who has donated to the trust and hope they will be as generous next time!
“The donations are going to a great cause with gifts such as bicycles offering the community a source of transport. All of the 130 orphans within the trust will receive an individual present.”
The Income Generated Activities project has been established by Akhonya Trust. It works by giving people within the community the ability to learn a trade and use this to generate income. Gifts include a range of tools and sewing machines that will go directly towards this project enabling members to learn new skills and even create their own business.
The two founding members of the trust are Richard Young and Amy Johnson. After a two year Voluntary Services Overseas placement in a workshop in Kenya, Richard, originally from Newcastle, realised the broader needs of the communities in Mumias and along with Amy Johnson they established the Akhonya Trust.
The Trust is currently supporting three main projects in and around the area of Mumias including The Akhonya Trust Children’s Home, which houses approximately 130 orphans, a corrective surgery programme, which rehabilitates and supports children with disabilities and special needs, and a AIDS/HIV awareness programme that educates local villages about the illness.
The Akhonya Trust would like to thank Steve and Marianne Adams of ABM Trailers, who provided the funds to ship the container and also Meldrum Construction, who help sponsor the trust and kindly provided the equipment to load the donations.
For more information about the Akhonya Trust or to make a donation visit www.akhonyatrust.org.