Teacher's heartache turns to hope (From Stourbridge News)

Teacher's heartache turns to hope

5:35pm Tuesday 11th November 2008

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WHEN Kate Oakley’s husband died, the retired Stourbridge teacher knew she had to do something to help her get over the heartache.

But little did she realise the impact her decision would have on the lives of needy and orphaned children struggling to survive in Uganda.

The brave mum-of-two, who taught home economics at Ridgewood High School for around 20 years, took herself off to the poverty-stricken African country for a three-week trip to help out at the Molly & Paul Childcare Foundation in a bid to find new meaning in her life following the death of her beloved husband of 38-years - David.

And now - just over 12 months later - she is helping to transform the opportunities available to the youngsters of Kampala and Kamuzinda by raising the profile of the Foundation’s Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir.

The acclaimed choir, comprising youngsters aged between nine and 18, is currently on its second visit to the UK - and thousands of pounds have already been donated to help fund Foundation projects back in Uganda.

A group of fundraisers from Kingswinford, led by David Yair from Kinver based Christian church group ad33, handed over around £1,400 which they raised by completing The Three Peaks Challenge.

And Anne Middleton of Kingswinford has handed over £1,200 which she raised after asking for donations instead of birthday presents.

Kate, from Caunsall near Kidderminster, said: “It’s incredible. It’s proving hugely successful.”

The 64-year-old says she had “been very miserable for a long time” when she first ventured out to Uganda.

But she threw herself into helping out at the Molly & Paul Foundation - teaching, cooking, cleaning, digging and planting - and swiftly organising a fundraising tour of the UK for the choir to help pull in a few pounds.

She said: “When I first went out there the teachers hadn’t been paid for four months and the children hadn’t eaten for four days and I was absolutely horrified. Nothing prepared me for how desperate their situation was.”

Since then - helping to change the lives of many of the Foundation’s 2,600 youngsters has become her passion.

She told the News: “It’s humbling, I feel so privileged to be with them. They work incredibly hard and if you ask them if they’re tired they always say no.”

Kate is hoping the current tour will also help bring in enough cash to buy a £9,000 maize mill to make the Foundation self-sufficient and able to generate its own income.

To find out more about the Pearl of Africa Children's Choir go to website - pearlofafrica.org.uk

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