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The Tucker's with Nelly |
We first visited Kasisi in February 1990
part of a group which were touring Zambia, Zimbabwe and South
Africa.
At the time I was a recently retired
Detective Superintendent of Scotland Yard and Philomena a
retired nurse and mother of four (two boys and tow girls). We
were so impressed by the work of Sister Caroline (RIP) and the
children and in particular their dependence on outside
assistance that Philomena determined upon return to the
UK to raise funds.
At the time we resided in Essex and we had
various functions at our house which continued until 1994 when
we moved to Ireland, overlooking the famous Mountains of Mourne
and Philomena set about “educating” the people of Ireland as to
the work of Kasisi the children and of course the sisters.
Within a short time Philomena “the organisers” and myself ,
labourer, driver, and general dogsbody was holding bring and buy
sales, dances wine and cheese parties and even last Xmas
designing a Kasisi Xmas card which has taken one of the twins
image to such places as Australia the US and many European
countries.
During the same period our own children married and to date we
have been blessed with twelve grandchildren all of whom are well
aware of Granny’s other children a world away in Africa.
We have been fortunate indeed as over the years we have been
able to visit Kasisi on several occasions and although saddened
by its expansion (now almost three times the number of children)
is was and is inspiring to see the devotion and work of the
sisters which never falters. It is also gratifying to see how
the sisters have dealt the ever increasing numbers particularly
the babies and street children.
We are only the tip of extremely large group of people in
Ireland (both North and South) who support us at the various
functions which in turn has raises significant amounts which we
have been able to forward direct to Sisters’ bank in Lusaka.
Kasisi has been a great source of happiness for both of us as
retirement can sometimes lead to routine and perhaps boredom
whereas we seem to find ourselves either planning the next
project or trip.
We are well aware whatever we achieve is a “drop in the ocean”
but the ocean is made up of many drops. It has been a great
favour to be part of a great enterprise and also to be able to
account first hand the work of the sisters.
It is important that we who have so much tell the world of the
plight of children just a aeroplane flight away and vital the
next generation is made aware of the need that will be with us
for many years to come. |
