SCOTLAND: Fundraising concert for Zimbabwean orphanage

By grampianonline.co.uk

A Macduff concert that was held to benefit the construction of an orphanage in Zimbabwe raised £864.

Kathleen Ross organised the performance after visiting the African country in April this year.

She travelled with her pastor friends Gladys and Colin Turner who are overseeing the orphanage project.

They are involved with the House of Peace International Ministries which is erecting the 24-bed building.

The fundraising concert, which featured music from local duo Firewater, was held in the Market Street Hall, Macduff.

Kathleen said: “We raised £445 through concert tickets, quizzes and donations, and £419 on the night.

“There will be some more funds from the sale of the quizzes from which the first correct entry drawn will receive their prize money on September 30.”

Kathleen travelled to Zimbabwe earlier this year with the Turners who are in the throes of building the orphanage.

Gladys parents look after eight orphanages but are getting elderly and frail.

Gladys and Colin live and work in the UK in order to help prepare the project.

They have procured a borehole which enables three water taps which they allow free access to.

The people there have to carry heavy containers of water often for miles.

Kathleen previously said: “There is no NHS, no real benefit system, no electricity or jobs nearby.

“The ground consists of sand which covers everything from tracks, gardens and the one road through to the nearest town or village, which is full of potholes.

“The rain only comes for three months a year. Many children live with their elderly relatives as their parents often have to travel to South Africa in the hope of finding work in order to survive and also to pay the requisite school fees.

“And yet the people are so thankful and generous in sharing what little they have with their neighbours.

“Coming from Scotland I was treated like royalty and continually thanked because David Livingstone came from Scotland and brought the bible to Zimbabwe.

“Though dressed in rags, most people when asked what they would most like or want was a bible.”

Gladys, Colin and their daughter Zerrah travelled to Macduff to attend the concert.

The event also had a sales table and photographic display for people to view.

Kathleen added: “The band were brilliant and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

“Everyone from Macduff Parish Church have been so welcoming and accomodating.

“Gladys and Colin were so impressed at how friendly and helpful everyone has been including allowing them both to talk about the work of House of Peace International Ministries.

“We were able to speak to the volunteers in Zimbabwe and they are all overjoyed and extended their thanks and appreciation to everyone who supported the event.

“We are hoping to have another concert sometime next year.”

Visit www.hopim.org for more information about the orphanage project.