Restart Africa
Claire Woolgar
The speaker on 28th July was Claire Woolgar who recounted her experience earlier this year as a month-long volunteer with Restart Africa in Kenya.
Claire volunteered at a residential school which takes in abandoned and abused children. Some come into the refuge mal-nourished and many have experienced and witnessed horrific violence either at home or on the streets.
Volunteers pay their own travel expenses to access this Kenyan government approved scheme and live on site during their stay: looking after the 100 children is a 24/7 responsibility and Claire described a typical day in the school’s nursery, starting peeling potatoes with a very large chef’s type knife – it is all they have, supporting their learning during the day and finishing with a Peter Rabbit bedtime story which captivated the children.
Restart Africa volunteers usually make additional contributions to the UK and Kenya registered charity and Kendal Rotary Club is arranging a £1,600 donation: £1,000 from the club and a £600 District grant has been requested. The club will continue to support this very worthwhile cause.
