Following on from our recent update from Elliot, Maria Walker, our reservations manager has some exciting news…
It suddenly dawned on me this morning that in a few short days I am setting out on an adventure that I expect will probably change my life! And I am very excited.
On the 23rd June I am flying out to Eldoret – Kenya to visit The Open Arms Village for just under 2 weeks.
In 2010 English Lakes selected Open Arms International as an sponsored charity. English Lakes staff was given a challenged to raise £45,000 in 3 years to fund the building of a new home at the Open Arms Village – we met our challenge in just 12 months! Our building “Grace Home” was opened by Simon Berry, our Managing Director and his wife Di Berry in January 2012 .
On the first day of finding out about Open Arms I felt passionate about this cause and hoped that one day I would visit and see all the good work for myself, this time has come…
The Open Arms village sits on 52 acres of rural land and provides a loving and caring environment for 82 children all of whom have been orphaned, abandoned or suffered terrible neglect or abuse. The vision of Open Arms International is broad and ambitious and they remain steadfastly committed to transforming Africa, one life at a time.
Open Arms also runs a feeding programme which currently feeds children that live in the slum areas of Kambi Teso near Eldoret. The feeding programme runs 4 days a week providing hot nutritious meals to those children in need. As well as receiving a meal the children benefit from establishing relationships with Open Arms staff.
English Lakes are still continuing to raise money for Open Arms village supporting eight children through salary giving and other charity events across all 5 hotels.
I promise that on my return I will fill you in on my adventure and Open Arms.
- Written by Maria Walker, Reservations Manager at English Lakes.