News
13/03/2008
Scouts save pennies to save lives
Every Scout Group knows what it’s like to save their pennies, but the Beaver and Cub Scouts from one Group took things literally, after they began saving for a very special cause.
The Hunter Pack Cubs and Sunshine Beaver Colony of 8th Lewisham South Scout Group started collecting 1p, 2p and 5p coins after a visit from Roger and Lesley Dann, founders of the charity Haranbee for Kenya. The pair have been working with the Kenyan Street Scouts for many years and came to speak to the District’s young people and Leaders about the plight of these young people.
Group Scout Leader Carole Simpson said: ‘The Hunter Pack Cubs and Sunshine Beaver Colony were really enthusiastic about helping with some fundraising for this appeal. For a month they collected 1p, 2p and 5p coins. The world badge photo is made up of all the coins that were collected. The total raised was £72.
‘I am immensely proud of our 22 Cubs and 20 Beavers and am delighted they decided they would like to continue collecting - we now have a permanent collection bottle at weekly meetings. They are still very enthusiastic about bringing in their donations and have involved their families as well.’
All the money raised by the Group will go to Haranbee for Kenya. Harambee is Swahili for ‘all pull together’ and the charity’s aims to put poor people on their feet again and see young people becoming valued members in society. Their website tells of the harsh realities of live on the street in Kenya:
‘Life on the street is very territorial and dangerous. Street children have no identity and are regularly beaten by people. They are often seen begging and scavenging on rubbish tips for food.'
Haranbee for Kenya plans to provide houses to take children from the streets to a place of safety where they can sleep, receive medical help, be fed and educated. They have found a piece of land suitable for a safe house and a school room and are trying to raise the £3000 needed to buy it.
The site has room for two buildings and should leave ample space for a workshop to be built at a later date for training the older young people.
In 2009 Lewisham Manor Scout District will be sending 40 Scout Network Members, Explorer Scouts and Leaders to help with the project for two weeks.
For more information visit the website: harambeeforkenya.org
