By KATH GANNAWAY
THE LIVES of Pam Verhoeven and Alex Johns have moved in different directions since the women were neighbours in Steels Creek, but they continue to share a friendship, and a desire to make a difference.
Alex left Steels Creek in 2008 after living there for eight years. She now lives in Jinja in Uganda where she is involved with St Isaacs Training Centre, a non-government organisation working with orphaned children.
When Alex wrote asking for her friend’s help to raise $10,000 to buy land which would provide food and money for the orphans of St Isaacs, Pam eagerly, but diligently, started a process that has led to the setting up of a fund.
Pam said she was keen to help for many reasons, but Alex’s own commitment and achievements gave her the confidence to say ‘yes’.
Alex was a criminologist who became a barrister later in life and ultimately an advocate for children.
She worked with children in the Northern Territory before completing a Master of Laws degree at Rhodes University in South Africa.
She then moved to Uganda to study a Doctorate in Law through research about double orphans.
“Alex is blazing a trail for everyone who would like to do this. She has made it her life,” Pam said
“I have always had a dream that I would like to do something, I think most of us have, but not everyone can do it.”
Alex’s request provided an opportunity to be involved that suited Pam’s methodical approach, and her persistence.
Establishing the fund was a lengthy process involving getting permissions from various government and non-government bodies in South Africa and Australia to ensure everything was above board.
“The money will go directly to St Isaac Training centre where Alex is on the ground, and will be used to purchase land and stock,” Pam said.
Founder and executive director of St Isaac’s, Christopher Kulabako, wrote to Pam saying their first priority was to purchase two acres of land.
He explained they are currently renting the land which if they owned, could return enough food and money from excess crops to feed the children and pay the salaries for workers as well as other projects, including accommodation for the children.
Alex said the land purchase was something that will impact directly on the daily lives of the orphans, their health, education potential and opportunity for the future.
“Africa is full of stories such as the one being told here,” she says. “Yet this is no reason to not help those whom one comes into contact with through chance and providence.”
Pam has set up an account and is hoping that at this time of the year when so much money is spent on gifts, food and enjoying the good life, people in the Yarra Valley may be moved to make a donation to the children of St Isaac’s.
Donations can be made at any Bendigo Bank branch to St. Issac Training Centre, Jinja, BSB633-000, account number 149 699 357. Pam can be contacted on 5965 2274.
