insideKENT Magazine Issue 97 - April 2020 | Page 150

CHARITY African Village Built in Bluewater Shopping Centre International children’s charity World Vision is bringing to life the story of a poverty-stricken African girl in Bluewater shopping centre. The charity, which helps children in almost 100 countries across the world, is creating an African village in the shopping centre. The village shows what it is like for a teenage girl growing up in poverty, without clean water, nutritious food and most importantly, access to education. The Village of Hope offers shoppers a glimpse into the life of 13-year-old Isata and her family who live in a remote village in Sierra Leone, in West Africa. A thatched hut depicts the family’s reality just over a decade ago, while the second one shows how much their life has changed through sponsorship from World Vision. Graeme Newton, director of public engagement at World Vision UK says: “World Vision sponsors are transforming childhoods every day. Through your generosity, you can also make a huge difference in the lives of the most vulnerable children, who need support to stay in school and protection from domestic work, child labour and forced marriage. “Child sponsorship not only empowers the child; it empowers their community.” Thanks to World Vision’s sponsorship, Isata can now drink clean water, go to school and live a fruitful life. She and her family moved to a tin-roofed house near a borehole. Isata’s mum has started a palm oil business and can now afford enough food and pay for school and medical fees. Before becoming a sponsored child, Isata’s life was hard. “My brother dropped out of school because Village of H ope is located outside the Swarovski jewellery story in Bluewater until Sunday 10 May. Birchwood House and Birchwood Care Services to support Hospice in the Weald’s Art of the Weald Exhibition Birchwood House and Birchwood Care Services are delighted to be the headline sponsor of Art of the Weald, a celebration of art from local artists, which is being organised by Hospice in the Weald. This prestigious event, which showcases a mixture of paintings, sculpture and photography from 42 professional artists, including a range of art available to purchase, was held in the Old Big School Gallery at Tonbridge School. “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Art of the Weald event; to support such a wonderful local cause and raise awareness of Hospice in the Weald at the same time is hugely rewarding,” says Niral Patel, managing director of Birchwood House and Birchwood Care Services. “Here at Birchwood House, we fully respect and appreciate the value of art in all its forms and we recognise it as an empowering tool that can assist in the ageing process,” says Niral Patel. “In addition to the main exhibition, we are excited to be bringing some of the art back to Birchwood House for an event on the afternoon of Saturday 18 April, which will raise even more funds for Hospice in the Weald.” 150 we couldn’t afford it and he went to work in the fields to bring money in,” Isata explains. “I always loved school, but I was sad about [the] state of my uniform. I couldn’t concentrate as I was tired from the chores and not much food.” Hospices of Hope’s Stately Cycle Jaunt offers Fundraisers Three-day Mini-break Kent-based charity, Hospices of Hope’s 3-day 100 mile cycle jaunt (led by experienced cyclist David Butterworth) will enable fundraisers to enjoy a three-day mini-break with plenty of exercise, lots of sightseeing in the beautiful Kent and Sussex countryside, and fulfil much needed fundraising - all achieved at a gentle pace! Charity founder, Graham Perolls, will be in the support vehicle, too, ready to scoop up stragglers - should they need a well- earned rest on the way! The three-day Stately Cycle Ride will not only help fundraisers to enjoy t heir fundraising in style, it will also enable Hospices of Hope to raise vital funds towards the running costs of its hospices in Romania, Albania, Serbia and Moldova. The 100-mile cycle ride starts from the charity’s headquarters at Otford, Kent, on Friday 18th September, with two overnight stops at Lamberhurst and Lewes, before arriving at Arundel, East Sussex, on Sunday, 20th September. To sign up for a limited place, visit www.hospicesofhope.co.uk/Events, email [email protected] or call the events team on 01959 525110.