The parish supports The Oaks School in Bo, Sierra Leone. OAKS –Overseas Aid for the Kids of Sierra Leone
In 2003 Margaret Jarrett, who lives near Chester, visited her family in Bo, Sierra Leone and saw the plight of orphan children who had lost their parents in the civil war in the country. She bought a plot of land, and her vision was to build a school for these orphans. The OAKS charity was born. When Fr Francis, the singing friar, met Margaret and learned of her plans he donated a large amount of money towards the building of the primary school which is run solely by the OAKS charity. St Columba’s initially became involved by responding to an appeal for equipment for the classrooms and then with ongoing donations to the charity for the running and expansion of the school.
The school now educates and cares for the medical needs of 745 children. A secondary school is being built and examination results have been excellent.
Margaret was awarded a well-deserved MBE in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List for her years of dedication, hard work and fund raising.
All information about the school can be found on their very informative website at www.oaks-sl.org If anyone would like to donate to the charity we have wall boxes in both church porches or email pauline.payne4@btinternet.com to learn more or to set up a standing order.
Third World Projects Knit for Africa
The KNIT FOR AFRICA project asks knitters in the UK to knit hats and jumpers for these newborn babies to give them a better chance of survival. Barbara Capstick from Holy Ascension had been involved for some time before contacting David & Anne Savage back in October last year to ask if the parish Needles & Pins sewing group could contribute to the effort. There has been a massive response over the past ten months and dozens of parishioners and their friends have knitted garments for this wonderful cause. St Columba’s & Theresa’s knitters have produced countless garments since the end of last year. Since the beginning of March, St Werburgh’s parishioners have also joined the knitting frenzy. Barbara Capstick is responsible for packing and sending multiple boxes of these cloths to the Phoenix Resource Centre in Wellingborough from where they are shipped to East Africa, particularly Djibouti. We have included photos showing the knitwear being distributed and worn by some of the children.
