webpicSCOUTS from Burton are to take the trip of lifetime to replace an existing orphanage after raising thousands of pounds each.
Staffordshire Scouts has set up an International project in Kikambala, Kenya, which will see a group of 19 Burton Scouts, Explorers and Leaders, along with 26 from Lichfield and Tamworth, build an orphanage for the children of the Good News Children’s Home.
The existing orphanage looks after 50 orphans in a tin building with poor facilities.
Each participant has had to raise £3,000 to cover the cost of their own flights, accommodation and building materials.
Fund-raising activities have included bag-packing, bucket collections in town centres and at a Burton Albion Football match, galas, fete’s, buy a brick campaigns, sponsored activities, and even marshalling at a cross country horse event.
The youngsters will also develop the much needed practical skills such as plumbing, carpentry, International First Aid and Project Management, and have also taken part in bricklaying classes.
The project will run over three years, with different districts from across Staffordshire being given the opportunity to contribute to the build. The first group of Scouts are due to fly out on Friday, where they will join the builders who have already laid the foundations on site, and will start building the main part of the orphanage.
A blog is available by visiting www.thekenyaproject.org.uk
