Byron Shire Echo January 1, Articles You can help make it a really happy new yearJann Gilbert talks to local people involved in helping orphansByron Bay local Sarah Eaton, the Australian representative for the Mission in Action MIA Nakuru Baby Or phanage, has just returned from six weeks at the orphanage north-west of Nairobi in Kenya with a great deal to report see her online diary at ubabyor phanage.com sarah.htm, and a plea for help. Founders of MIA and the orphanage, former Northern Rivers residents Mary and Ivan Budilica, were recently approached by their neighbour who has offered to sell them the acres adjacent to the orphanage, however, they need to raise AU, in order to buy it. They also need to do it quickly to avoid the owners changing their mind or raising the price a common occurrence in the African property market. If we could buy the acres we could achieve an enormous amount for the community, says Mary. Our vision is to purchase the land and build a school, a
community centre
for future workshops to teach children and community members trades, educational seminars, etc and a community playground. Wed also like to start largerscale farming, and a small eco-accommodation and tour business to nearby National Parks to generate income for the orphanage so we can make this mission sustainable. MIAs overall philosophy is to work with the community as a whole to make lasting changes that will see a better standard of living for everyone. Given the difculties of getting anything done in Kenya they have made nothing short of miraculous progress so far. Just over three years ago Mary, Ivan and their children Adam, Rachael and Sarah, sold their home in Richmond Hill to fund the set-up and development of the rst baby orphanage in the Nakuru region. They now care for babies and toddlers, and counting. They have completed the orphanage, childrens playground and huts for visitors, volunteers and local staff built a village store that sells fresh food grown in the gardens at the orphanage, the proceeds of which go back into the community installed a bore the only source of clean water in the area set up regular health clinics and health education helped build a maternity ward at the local hospital and taken responsibility for the care of members ofNeed a break Put them in the treehouse.MACADAMIAT H E C A S T L E minutes south from Byron Bay along the Pacific Highway BVL WORKSHOPS Calender Sarah receives a joyous welcome on her return to the orphanage.Workshops are free for Landcare members. Non-members 5 per workshop including afternoon tea. Workshops will continue to be held on the last Saturday of the month. Please contact Colin Hastie on for more info on the events below. February rd Inviting landholders on the Chincogan ridge line and Tunnel Road northern area of Coolamon Scenic Drive to inspect two sites involved in an Environmental Trust bush restoration project. Sunday March 2nd A large tree planting will be held on a beautiful site on the Brunswick River in Mullumbimby, come along and be part of bringing back the rainforest of the town. March th Vine management, natives and exotics, at the Yallakool Reserve site in Ocean Shores. This site is part of an Environmental Trust project and now being extended through an Envirofund project. April th An information day for BVL Locality Groups and launch of a local Landcare Manual, at a location in Mullumbimby to be announced. May st Brunswick Valley Nature Festival, which is also a celebration of World Environment Day, Shearwater Steiner School June th Butteries and their host plants, as well as general native plant identication, venue TBA.the community who are most in need and at risk. All of the work at Nakuru has been done using Mary and Ivans own funds and with the proceeds of fundraising, which Mary tirelessly pursues on top of the work at the orphanage. Like other small villages all over Africa, Nakuru is extremely poor and suffers from medical and social problems that take a horrendous toll, particularly on children. As a result of MIAs work, unlike other villages, Nakuru has hope. This is a truly grassroots project that benefits real people, and offers them the opportunity for a fullling and productive life, says Sarah. We encourage people to come and visit us and see exactly how their donations are being spent. The average day for MIA consists of much more than simply caring for babies. The chores are endless. Many of the things we take for granted in Western countries are either luxuries or non-existent for the majority of African people. Their hardship is compounded by underlying cultural, social and health issues that most people simply cannot comprehend, unless you live there In order to buy the land Sarah has come up with an ingenious means of raising the money and sharing the load. If you purchase square metres of land for you will receive a certicate of land noting that you have purchased this for MIA, says Sarah. If you purchase one acre of land for your name or the name of your organisationwill go on a plaque in the Community Centre to be built on the land. Naturally, if anyone out there is feeling generous enough to donate the whole lot , they can have the whole Community Centre named after them If 1, people donate each we can do this Itsounds like a lot but when you think of the size of this great earth it can be done but only with the help of everyone out there, says Sarah. If youd like to donate or for further information log on to orphange.com or contact Sarah on .Flowers in the gardenBVL BITS AND PIECES Volunteer Treasurer and Publicity Ofcer needed BVL requires the services of volunteers for 2 positions on our executive committee. BVL is active in environmental projects in the district worth in excess of ,, involving dozens of volunteers and contractors. A Treasurer is required, whose role is to oversee our nancial affairs, by liaising with our paid bookkeeper and reporting to our monthly meetings. A Publicity Ofcer is also required to promote the activities of our group. Please contact Adrian Begg on or Colin Hastie on . Cane toad traps for hire BVL has a few cane toad traps available for hire. Apart from refundable hire deposit of , they are free for BVL members. Its or 1 years membership for nonmembers.LANDCARE WORKING BEES North Byron Shire Coastal Group Working to rehabilitate habitat on a site in Rangal Road, on the Fern Beach Estate. Up to trees have been planted and mulched since early May, Workdays 1st Friday monthly Contact Jan Olley .OTHER EVENTS April date TBA, Tweed AIMS pasture and grazing management workshop, contact Jackie Luethi . BVL BOOKSHOP Specialist environment and hard to source eld books. Check the BVL website or contact Rita .BVL MEMBERSHIP OFFERFor new and renewing members Mullum Creek Nursery is offering a discount to the value of on one order. Contact Rebecca AH. For information about Landcare and Dune Care activities and Landcare-type advice and property visits for landholders Colin Hastie Coastal Landcare Community Support Ofcer . Judy MacDonald Project Ofcer Tues-Wed For information on sustainable agriculture Jackie Luethi Community Landcare Coordinator, Sustainable Agriculture . This column is published with the support of the NRCMAThe Lilly Pilly Preschool is making an effort to have their grounds filled with art made locally. The latest instalment is a mosaic wall in the school yard. The artists were Lisa Toman, mum to Lilly Pilly student Eddie, and Sarhajo, grand mum to Rumi. Recycled materials and tiles for the wall were donated by Bettina Schibish from The Tile Studio. Photo Tree Faerie
