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On 15th October, we held
AN EVENING OF MUSIC
to raise funds for the Double Joy Children's Farm in Kenya
Organised
by one of our parish's many At Your Word, Lord (AYWL) groups, over 150 people
enjoyed a variety of music put together by talented musicians in our parish.
Many thanks to everyone who came to the evening, for your generosity, and your contribution to the £3,200 raised. EVERY penny of this contribution will go towards Double Joy!
The evening consisted of a classical section followed
by a jazz section – everyone was welcomed with a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink, and served with a buffet supper in the interval. The evening closed with a raffle.
Many thanks to all those who were involved in the Music: Debbie
Brown (Bass, Piano), Rosalind Harber (Violin), Moni Jefferies (Piano), Anna
McDougall (Vocal), Pat O’Brien (Sound Mix), Thomas Pugh (Drums, Percussion),
Caroline Richards (Vocal), Kevin Smith (Alto Sax), Hannah Tan (Vocal, Piano),
Gordon Traynor (Solo Vocal), Clare Walsh (Vocal), Gill Walsh (Solo Vocal),
Rachel Walsh (Vocal, Flute), Mike Walsh (Piano, Bass), Esme White (Vocal),
Julia White (Solo Vocal), Jeremy White (Piano), Clare Yates (Flute)
Here are a few pictures from the evening:
 
 
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What is Double Joy?
Double Joy was started in 1994 by Mary Hinde, who had been living and teaching in Kenya for the previous twenty years.
On
her retirement
Mary decided she
wanted to continue her life in Kenya and
to find a way of continuing to serve the community in which she had enjoyed
many happy years.
Abandoned Children
At that time Aids was becoming a major cause
of death in her local area, affecting half the adult population between fifteen
and fifty five years. The illness and death of this group of adults
has resulted in many children being abandoned to fend for themselves.
This loss of adults of bread winning age has also had a negative effect on
the economy as a whole.
Overwhelming numbers.
Prior to the Aids epidemic the number of orphans in Kenya was relatively
few and the children could be cared for by their relatives. In recent
years the number of orphans has become overwhelming . The mothers usually
die around the same time as the fathers and relatives are too burdened with
their own hardship and poverty to care for more children in addition to their
own.
Crazy Idea
In
response to these difficulties Mary felt called to do something to relieve
the suffering of the children in her local area. She decided to start
a Children’s Home despite being told by many people that this was a crazy
idea and couldn’t possibly succeed due to the enormous resources it would
require.
Great success.
To this day Double Joy continues to grow from strength to strength and all
those who visit us describe it as a place of great joy and inspiration.
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