A DEDICATED group of North East volunteers has recently returned from Kenya where they embarked on a successful week-long mission that resulted in the construction of three homes for vulnerable families.
It is hoped the new homes will dramatically improve their standard of living and uplift communities in need. This year the charity exceeded their initial fundraising targets and raised a total of £52,107.
For almost a decade, the Gathimba Edwards Foundation (GEF) has been building homes for some of the most disadvantaged people in Kenya. With the help of over 250 volunteers, the charity has erected more than 50 homes over the course of 6 trips and has transformed the lives of countless individuals, many of whom live in squalid conditions.
GEF Co-Founder, Myles Edwards, said: “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of the volunteers that were involved in the project this year. It was remarkable to have such a dedicated team from the North East as well as local volunteers, specifically Humphrey and Gibson, whom we built homes for on our previous 2017 trip. These families may have previously slept outside or on the floor, but the sky is now the limit.”
“Without the volunteer’s outstanding fundraising prior to the trip, and physical efforts to manually build the homes, none of this would have been possible. We are laying the foundation for these families, not only for now but for years ahead,” said Myles.
The GEF was set up over 9 years ago by Kenyan international athlete Gideon Gathimba and Aberdeen athlete, Myles Edwards, after he was deeply moved by the challenges faced by young people whilst training in Africa.
With numerous projects across Kenya, the Gathimba Edwards Foundation aims to help disadvantaged children get a start in life, whether it be support through shelter, clothing, education, or sustainable food solutions and giving them the opportunity to not only live their lives as children but also to develop as adults.
For more information about the charity and opportunities to volunteer go tohttps://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/
