The illustrator Korky Paul is the patron of our ‘build the first library’ campaign in the Mumias district of West Kenya. On Thursday 3 February, he went to St Swithuns School to thank them for raising £1201.84.
Sylvia Vetta, the chair of the Kennington based fundraising committee said, ‘We have to thank Korky as well as the children and staff of St Swithuns. Two weeks ago he generously spent a whole day engaging with every year group. He had a little help from Winnie the Witch but he must have been exhausted at the end of the day.’
The head teacher, Caroline Knighton, says that ever since the children have been producing imaginative drawings which they have used in their writing. 'We were delighted to have Korky in school - what a wonderful opportunity for our children whilst helping others on the other side of the world.'
The campaign arose from a discussion between Sylvia and the inspirational founder of the Abingdon based Nasio Trust. Kenyan born Nancy Mudenyo Hunt and Sylvia unusually wrote a young adult novel together. Not so Black and White is inspired by Nancy’s life in Kenya and as a diversity trainer with the Thames Valley Police. After it was published, Sylvia suggested they give some copies to local libraries near Musanda. The problem is that there are none, not even in the schools. One small book case is the only source available to children of the same age as the pupils of St Swithun’s.
Nasio has to raise a further £6000 to fulfil their dream. If readers are interested in supporting the project, there are two events in Wesley Memorial Church in New Inn Hall Street on the weekend of April 2 and 3. Nasio will have a stand selling the novel and other items at the Oxford Indie Book Fair on the Saturday. They will also serve tea and coffee and cake (free entry to the 45 exhibitor fair). On Sunday the Kennington and District Choir will perform Vivaldi’s Gloria and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in the church at 3.30pm.
All welcome. Entry is free but donations will go to the library project.