Self sufficiency now in reach at John's Amani Orphanage
Dance night in aid of John's Amani Orphanage, sponsored by Buckley's SuperValu, with Michael English and his band, Mullingar Park Hotel, Thursday May 19 from 10pm
In 2012, when Mullingar photographer John McCauley came across the Amani Orphanage, he set himself a target: self sufficiency within five years – and now, as he prepares for another mission to Tanzania, that target is about to be realised.
Prior to that initial contact, which came about as John was capturing the wildlife on a nature photoshoot, the outside world had little or no insight into life at the Amani Orphanage.
Now, thanks to the work of John and his dedicated voluntary help, life is so much better for the facility’s 40 or so children and their carers.
Come August 1, John will be returning to Amani with a team of 10 volunteers, including Ann Egerton, who has been involved in the fundraising drive since 2013.
The 10, who will complete a two-week work programme, include three Dublin based volunteers who came across John’s work for the orphans through social media.
So taken were they with John’s drive and goal, that they made contact and signed up for the next expedition to the orphanage.
Central to all the works at the orphanage is finance. Without money, none of the work which has been done and the programmes in the pipeline, would be possible.
To this end, John has built a strong team around him and channelled the goodwill of so many people, in various fields, into his fundraising drives. People in the entertainment world have been particularly generous with their time while local businesses have been unfailing in their support.
This Thursday night, May 19, is a case in point as John and his team plan to take over Mullingar Park Hotel as one of Ireland’s leading country and western artists, Michael English, and his band will get the feet tapping with their best songs, including current hit, ‘Take Me Home’.
John has attracted sponsorship from Buckley’s SuperValu, for which he is deeply grateful, and he is hopeful that upwards of 500 people will create a wonderful atmosphere on the night.
Joining Michael English on stage will be one of Mullingar’s up and coming singing sensations, Michaela Hogg, the former All-Ireland Scór champion, who recently captivated new audiences with her performances on ‘The Voice of Ireland’.
If John is the public face of the drive to improve the lot of the children in Amani, he has excellent support from Ann Egerton, who has been working quietly to ensure that Thursday is a special night.
She has been busy tapping into her contacts to come up with wonderful spot prizes for a monster raffle.
John and Ann don’t sell tickets as they believe the cause sells itself and so admission is on the door, from 8pm, and Michael and band take to the stage at 10pm. Set at a modest €15, the admission fee has already been earmarked for the next chapter in John’s Amani Orphanage adventure.
Among his plans is the establishment of a banana plantation with a proposal to plant 800 trees close to the village. The expectation is that the yield could be as much as €25,000 per annum, John and Ann deciding how the income would be spent.
Naturally, some of the money will go to the staff who are currently volunteering at the orphanage, and who eat and play with the children, as well as educate them. Included is a child who was educated in the orphanage and who has now returned as a qualified teacher to give back something to those who helped her.
The goal to help the children, ranging in age from four to 12, to progress to third level education, was always John’s primary aim and he is delighted that a former pupil is now back working with them. An internet cafe on the site is also a great tool in the provision of further education.
And alongside the development of these young people and providing them with some hope for their futures, John has identified another worthwhile project.
Soon after his initial contact with the small Tanzanian community, he was struck by how impoverished the elderly were and the conditions they had to endure in their daily lives. “They are living in very bad conditions and their first question each day is ‘where will I get a cup of maize today on which to survive?’,” said John.
In this regard, John has established a Meals on Wheels programme within the orphanage whereby meals are prepared for people living within a certain radius of the centre and they are then delivered by motorcycle to people in need.
Those who prepare the food will be compensated by being allowed to take the food they need for themselves and their families.
All of the monies raised in the Amani Orphanage appeals will be handled solely by John and Ann, who will oversee distribution in the best interests of the children at the orphanage and the community.
While John and Ann are hopeful for the house full signs to appear early on Thursday night, they are aware that some who would like to offer support may not be able to make it on the night. In that case, they can contact John directly on 087 615 7349.