Building a better future

Joiner Jason Kyle was part of a 13-man team who brought their building skills and much needed aid to the African country as part of a project organised by the Elim Church.

Jason joined volunteers from all over Northern Ireland to help refurbish a local hospital and school. He told The Coleraine Times that he was overwhelmed with the support and aid he received for his trip, and says it is all being put to very good use.

“I can’t thank the people of Coleraine enough for all they did for me especially during these difficult financial times,” said Jason.

“In particular I’d like to thank the Duddy family and Coleraine Fireplaces, Ivan Kyle and Colin McKendry of Coleraine Football Club, Mickey McColgan and my close family and friends.

“Their help was invaluable and I can tell you it is making a huge difference out there.

“It’s not until you visit somewhere like Zimbabwe that it really brings home just how lucky we are.

“We all watch the appeals for aid on television and it’s easy to switch off, but when you are there and you see it first hand, only the hardest heart wouldn’t be drawn to tears.

“These people have nothing, but yet they are always smiling.

“On our first morning we got up at 7am to go over and start work at the hospital. I say hospital, but it’s not like what we have here, it is just pre-fabricated buildings with no water or electric supply.

“But even at that time in the morning there was about 70 people queuing up outside the hospital waiting to be seen. And these people had walked about 40 or 50 miles barefoot to be there.

“It makes you think that we complain all too easily over here about things which aren’t really important at all.”

Jason and the team completed the work in the hospital and also a local school and plans are already in place for them head back out next March.

“Yeah we are already preparing for another trip for the same time next year,” said Jason.

“Currently there is a team out there doing preparatory work for a water bore hole which would be a massive boost to the village as we could put in a number of taps rather than just the one.

“People have already started giving me things for the trip and I’d appeal to people to think about what they are throwing away as we can always put it to good use.

“We took a lot of football tops out with us in March and the kids were absolutely delighted to get them.

“The locals also came and helped us with the work and we gave them some second-hand bikes as payment. The couldn’t believe it as a bike for them is invaluable for getting about the place.

“Little things like that can make such a big difference.”

Anyone who wants to help Jason and the team or needs more information on the project they can contact Pastor Raymond Cotter on 07780732477.