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Cochrane firefighters help build African orphanage

Three Cochrane firefighters recently returned from Africa after helping to construct an orphanage outside Gulu, Uganda. Departing on Aug. 29 and returning Sept.
From left; Kerri Friesen, Cochrane firefighter Josh Tait and Lorie Gordon lay bricks for the nursery.
From left; Kerri Friesen, Cochrane firefighter Josh Tait and Lorie Gordon lay bricks for the nursery.

Three Cochrane firefighters recently returned from Africa after helping to construct an orphanage outside Gulu, Uganda.

Departing on Aug. 29 and returning Sept. 22, firefighters Martin Reuter and Ryan Morrison — along with Reuter’s wife, Kerri Friesen — began their trip with a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania before meeting fellow firefighter Josh Tait in Uganda to assist with the building of homes and a nursery for the orphanage.

“Many children are orphaned due to mothers dying during labour, families passing away from HIV, Ebola, or other diseases,” said Reuter, “or just simply abandoned as they cannot afford to raise their babies.”

The trip was organized by an organization called Watoto, a holistic care program started as a response to the number of orphaned children in Uganda.

This was the third trip Reuter has assisted Tait, who is a member of Tapestry Church; the first two being in Haiti in 2010 and 2011 to help with earthquake relief.

The trip was funded by both the individuals and Tapestry Church. With the help of Tait and Lorie Gordon (also a member of Tapestry Church) the three Cochrane firefighters raised nearly $15,000.

“They were hard days in the heat and humidity,” Reuter said, “but it was a lot of fun and rewarding to see the buildings come together.”

The trip had a definite impact on Tait.

“If my life was cash, how would I spend it?” said Tait. “I really desire to spend it on worthwhile things, and in my opinion, helping people is one of the most worthwhile things a person can do.”

Visit watoto.com for more.

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