Martin St Quinton
Martin St Quinton's page
Fundraising for The Saint Foundation
Story
I’ve never written asking for donations before and I don’t suppose I will ever do it again but I hope you will forgive me (and perhaps support me) just this once.
As you may know Judith and I are going out to Africa in early January next year to spend 4 months in the Limpopo Province, north of Johannesburg. Charlie will be coming with us and attending the local school for the Easter Term.
Whilst we are out there we have agreed to help an Orphanage called The Fold. The Fold has been set up by 2 couples based on a new concept for caring for children who have no parents or whose parents are incapable of looking after them. Most of the children have lost their parents through HIV.
The Fold has already acquired a 30 acre site and has completed the first of about 8 houses it intends to build on the site. Each house will have a “Mum and Dad” (usually but not necessarily married) and about 8 children ranging in age from 1 to 10. The idea is for a “family” to be created in each house with big / little brothers and sisters. Nursery level education is provided at The Fold; older children will travel to the local school. They hope that this Community will provide a home to which the children can return once they leave school etc. It is a model which has proved very successful in other countries.
So far only one house has been built at a cost of US$10,000 but we hope to be able to help them build some more. They also hope to create a small play area, five a side games pitch and a large vegetable garden so they can produce their own food. All this requires money and labour. We would like to help with both. Judith and I plan to spend much of the 4 months on site helping with the building project. We also have arranged a couple of gap year students to join us who will be helping build the houses etc.
If you are able to help any donation would be greatly appreciated. We can guarantee that every £1 raised will find its way directly to The Fold. What is exciting is that a relatively small amount of money by European standards can go a long way in Africa and absolutely transform the lives of a number of children who are so much less fortunate than our own.
For those of you who prefer to donate on-line I’ve set up my own charity website at www.justgiving.com/msq. Or if you prefer please send a cheque, payable to The Saint Foundation, in the stamped addressed envelope provided.
Many ThanksMartin
PS – If you’d like to learn a bit more about The Fold please have a look at their website – http://www.thefold-sa.org/main1.html