Kilworth-native Elaine O’Brien, has returned from Mombassa in Kenya following two weeks of voluntary work as part of the Ray of Sunshine Foundation where she was assisting to build a rescue centre for girls who have experienced abuse throughout their lives.
Now living and working as a midwife in Edinburgh, she raised €9,254.54 for the Foundation. As previously mentioned in The Avondhu last August, the centre will care for young girls who have been abused in the sex trafficking industry.
During her period in Kenya, Elaine’s day started at 4.25am with the workday beginning just before 6am and ending between 3.30-4pm.
Temperatures got up as far as 36 degree Celsius, making work difficult but all the while rewarding when considering the change the centre would have on the lives of the children.
Her work was varied and ranged from setting up scaffolding, helping with plastering, painting, cleaning, sanding and staining windows to making lunches. She recalled a number of locals who were working on the site and appreciated the Irish people who have taken this project to their hearts.
The rescue centre was officially opened on Wednesday, February 16th. Elaine wishes to thank all those in Ireland and Scotland for their invaluable support during her successful fundraising efforts.
For more information and pictures of the rescue centre, you can visit the Ray of Sunshine Foundation Facebook page or www.rayofsunshine.ie
