Stonehouse Women's Royal British Legion

THE monthly meeting of the Stonehouse WRBL took place at the Community Centre on Thursday, September 24.

Chairman Janet Walsh led the exhortation and silent tribute.

She told us that £217.65 had been raised at the recent cream tea.

There were 26 members present.

Our speaker was Mr Anthony Bateman the director of Children First Uganda and Calm Africa, sister charities.

He explained that Ugandans have a love and respect for the British people, and that English is their first language.

They also love football.

Tourists visit for the white water rafting and the gorilla safaris.

These two charities aim to give children back their rights, as they are a forgotten generation.

The charities lobby for rights, and run outreach programmes with health workers etc.

They also help child headed households, and build new schools for children to get an education.

It costs £230 a year for one child to be in receipt of full time education.

The schools are used for adults at the weekends where they are taught self sufficiency skills such as dressmaking, gardening, vehicle maintenance and computing skills.

University students from Britain go on placements there to give love and hands on help.

Anthony was thanked by Janet and a collection was taken for the charities.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, October 29, when it will be the AGM.

The competition winners for a light scarf were Carol Butcher and Doreen Burford.