A Dundee Samaritan is calling on people to wave and waive to save an African orphanage.
Champions for Children’s Maywave appeal will help save an orphanage in Gweru, in Zimbabwe’s midlands province. Without the new building the 30 children would be back on the streets.
The campaign is the brainchild of Alan Calder-McNicoll who became involved with the orphanage after visiting the area with lion charities.
Rotarian Alan said: “We’re asking people to take a selfie, waving and connecting with these kids, and also to waive something, it could be a pizza or a cup of coffee or something much bigger, and donate the difference to the charity.
“Social services of the Zimbabwean government recently said the orphanage has to close, which is just disastrous for these children; the country has a 95% unemployment rate and children on the street have even less chance.
“This is a really successful centre, it’s very basic but it is sanitary and they’ve got love and a family environment as well as roof over their heads.
“These are street kids, many have parents who can’t take care of them and others have run away from home for various reasons.”
Several organisations are working to save the centre, which has been given a stay of execution until August, but it is estimated more than £40,000 is needed to keep the children off the streets.
Construction cannot begin until a £5,000 borehole is drilled and funds from Maywave will contribute to this, with any additional funds going into construction of the new orphanage.
Former lord provost John Letford said: “In my tenure of office as former lord provost I never ceased to be amazed when I became aware of the extraordinary dedication and commitment of some of our voluntary organisations here in the city.
“One such individual is Alan Calder-McNicoll of Champions for Children Maywave Appeal for the children and orphans in Zimbabwe.
“I would encourage people to support Alan and his campaign so that young people can realise their aspirations, the same aspirations that our kids enjoy.”
For more information and to donate visit lionalert.org/page/Champions_for_Children.