The BARK FOUNDATION
(Registered Charity Number:1129762)
In support of HOTPEC ORPHANAGE, BUEA, CAMEROON
President: Reverend Edward Sakwe
December 2011
NEWSLETTER
Dear Friends
WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS, PEACE AND BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR
Planned Visit to Birstall of Mrs Beatrice Mugri, Matron of HOTPEC Orphanage
We regret to inform you that the British High Commission in Accra, Ghana refused a second application for Mrs Mugri
to come to the UK. Despite us furnishing detailed information and an itinerary they refuse to believe that her
application is genuine. It seems they are afraid that she will not return to Cameroon if she is allowed to come here.
We intend to take the matter further because ‘Training and Development’ is an important part of our charitable aims. It
is for this reason that we have embarked upon another ambitious project that will eventually provide proper facilities for
overseas (and local) residential volunteers on-site at the orphanage.
VOLUNTEER AND TRAINING CENTRE - £47,000 to be raised
The experiences of our first two volunteers who spent time at HOTPEC have strengthened our resolve to help in the
development of their work. The expertise of overseas volunteers is a great asset but many are discouraged by the cost –
air fares, vaccinations, visas PLUS accommodation. (The orphanage cannot afford to pay for accommodation off-site).
As numbers increase more residential staff are needed on site to attend to the younger children early morning and at
bed-time. Funds for wages are strictly limited but local volunteers would be willing to work for ‘board and lodging’ –
but there is no accommodation. The planned building will provide seven accommodation rooms, kitchen and bathroom
facilities and a large dual purpose room that can be used as a ‘common room’ for relaxation and as a training room.
The current economic situation will make it harder for us to achieve our target but we will just keep working at it!
We are pleased to report that fund raising events of August, September, October and November were successful and
that, including personal donations, we have, since April, raised £10,000 - enough to pay for the foundations to be dug
and concreted. However at this stage we cannot start building unless we know that work will be able to continue.
OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS - BARBARA WATSON AND DAUGHTER LYNDA YORKE
Barbara and Lynda spent 3-30 October with our HOTPEC family. They made it clear that they wished to live as part of
the ‘family’ and wanted no special treatment. The room designated as a store room between the laundry and kitchen of
the Baby Unit (first project of The Bark Foundation, opened in November 2010) was made into a bedroom for them.
At first they helped with the infants and children, but a few days into their stay the ‘laundry lady’ became ill. Barbara
and Lynda offered to do her work and spent the rest of their time washing the children’s clothes – by hand, with a bar of
soap and cold water! Often the water pressure was too low to supply the showers, toilets in the baby unit and taps in the
new laundry, so Barbara and Lynda drew water from an outside tap – one bucket for washing and one for rinsing. At
one time they were without water on site for FIVE DAYS! This is because the mains water, at best, is only supplied on
alternate days and HOTPEC water tank is too small for long-term storage. Barbara and Lynda have vowed to raise –
themselves – the £4,000 needed to build a new storage tower big enough to cope. This project is being recorded
separately to the building of the Volunteer and Training Centre but will be monitored in the same way to ensure value
for money. So far just over £300 has been donated – we thank friends of Barbara and Lynda for their support.
Both Barbara and Lynda agree that they worked very hard, often felt very tired especially in the heat, but have no
regrets. When they were not occupied with the washing they enjoyed singing songs and playing games with the
children, and teaching them to do ‘finger knitting’ with wool they had taken with them. Lots of bracelets and necklaces
were made – by girls, boys and adults – everybody wanted to learn! We are very grateful to their families for being
willing to miss them and for being so supportive. We cannot put into words our own appreciation of their sacrifice on
behalf of The Bark Foundation – ‘thank you’ is totally inadequate – we are extremely proud of them both. Since their
return Barbara has been heard several times on Radio Leicester – both interview and phone-ins, had an article printed in
the Melton Times (where she lives) and had a superb letter and photograph printed on the Leicester Mercury letters
page. She is really trying hard to get publicity for our work.
LOOK OUT very soon on ‘ebay-missionfish’ for the AUCTION of a signed LEICS. COUNTY CRICKET BAT
donated for the WATER PROJECT. PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS OF THEIR VISIT.
TRUSTEES:
Chairman
David Bark
48 Queensgate Drive, Birstall
Leicester LE4 3JR
Email:
bark_foundation@btinternet.com
Website: thebarkfoundation.org
Secretary
Charles Hilton
11 Beechfield Avenue, Birstall
Leicester LE4 4DB
Email:
bark_foundation@btinternet.com
Treasurer
Joy Bark
48 Queensgate Drive, Birstall
Leicester LE4 3JR
Email:
bark_foundation@btinternet.com
The BARK FOUNDATION
(Registered Charity Number:1129762)
In support of HOTPEC ORPHANAGE, BUEA, CAMEROON
President: Reverend Edward Sakwe
If you wish to make a donation to help us to improve the lives of the children of our HOTPEC family please
either send it direct to our home address or through ‘Just Giving’, on line. If you are a UK taxpayer and would like
us to claim ‘GIFT AID’ on your donation this can be done through ‘Just Giving’ or by including a note with the
following statement and information if sending directly to us:
Please treat all gifts of money that I make today and in the future as GIFT AID donations.
Title......Initials........Surname..................................Home address...................................................................................
Postcode.....................SIGNED................................................. Date......................
Donations can be allocated to either or both projects - if you would like the amount to be ‘split’ between the two
projects please just note ‘£................VOLUNTEER CENTRE’ and ‘£...............WATER TOWER’
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO HELP US by using ‘The Giving Machine’ when buying ‘on line’. Log on to
www.thegivingmachine.co.uk and join as a giver. It costs nothing for you to join. Anything you need to buy on line
can be chosen from over 180 major retailers (including insurance companies!) and they donate a percentage of the
purchase price to The Bark Foundation if you choose us as your beneficiary. We have used this initiative ourselves –
saved some money and gained a donation from the retailer and insurance company with no further effort from us.
QUALITY BALLPOINT PENS – We have had some produced to raise funds. Printed very discreetly with our ‘logo’
and website address. £2.50 each inc. free pouch and card explaining purchase represents a donation. Barrel colours:
black, metallic grey, gold, pale blue, red. Need any last minute ‘STOCKING FILLERS’? Tel. 0116.2677576
FUND RAISING EVENTS FOR THE NEW YEAR – some dates to be confirmed will be notified in January 2012
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th JANUARY - ‘Raclette’ evenings – at 48 Queensgate Drive, Birstall LE4 3JR
Suggested donation £15 per person, eat and drink as much as you wish! (Tel. 0116.2677576 to book either evening).
Monday 16 JANUARY - AROMA SPICE - a meal together at our local Indian Restaurant (starter and main course).
Suggested donation £15 per person (min. £8 to cover costs). Bar available. (Essential to book - Tel. 0116.2677576).
Saturday 17th MARCH – FOLK EVENING for ST PATRICK’S DAY
Supper included, 7.30 pm at Birstall Methodist Church Hall
Proceeds to be shared with ACTION FOR CHILDREN. Ticket price to be advised. Advance Bookings accepted.
COLLECTION OF CLOTHING AND BEDDING – any time.
Would you like to help us by having a ‘clear-out’? We will be pleased to receive clean, dry clothing and bed linen,
blankets (no duvets or pillows), curtains, handbags, belts and hats. In a separate bag, books, DVDs and toys. Items will
be sorted and used to raise funds.
Local supporters please phone us (0116.2677576) to arrange delivery/collection of your contribution.
‘TALKS’ TO LOCAL GROUPS - David and Joy Bark are pleased to offer Power-Point presentations of life in
Cameroon and at the orphanage, or of wild life in Galapagos and Ecuador, in return for a donation to the fund. If you
are a member of a group please contact us if you are interested. (Phone 0116.2677576 to book)
JOY’S JEWELLERY – The recycled/remade jewellery stall continues to be very popular at local coffee mornings and
other meetings. Donated items result in customers pleased with their bargains and for us a welcome addition to our
funds. If you would like us to offer our wares as an extra attraction at your own event (or hold a ‘Jewellery party!)
please contact Joy (0116.2677576).
PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
Best wishes
Joy, David, Charles and Edward
TRUSTEES:
Chairman
David Bark
48 Queensgate Drive, Birstall
Leicester LE4 3JR
Email:
bark_foundation@btinternet.com
Website: thebarkfoundation.org
Secretary
Charles Hilton
11 Beechfield Avenue, Birstall
Leicester LE4 4DB
Email:
bark_foundation@btinternet.com
Treasurer
Joy Bark
48 Queensgate Drive, Birstall
Leicester LE4 3JR
Email:
bark_foundation@btinternet.com