Norwich Salvation Army raises £11k for Kenya

Two Salvation Army centres in Mombasa, Kenya, have benefited from £11,000 raised over a year by Norwich Citadel Band at St Giles St in celebration of their 125th anniversary in 2007.

The band - who raised the cash through various special events and donations – has provided a well-stocked library and two computers for The Salvation Army Children’s Home, which houses 60 orphaned children between the ages of 5-18. The home was chosen because of links with the late Major Doris Green from Norwich, who spent many years working there. Her brother, Walter Green MBE, is a member of the band.

The new library is furnished with wooden bookcases on four walls, stocked with around 500 books in Swahili and English, four new tables and 20 chairs. Funding has also provided two state-of-the-art computers complete with the latest educational software to help with school assignments and homework, including an encyclopedia and dictionary.

 

The library was officially opened during a recent visit by Band Secretary Michael Whybrow, who unveiled a plaque acknowledging its provision by Norwich Citadel Band ‘as a thanksgiving to God for 125 years of service.’

 

The other project has provided 35 red bandsmen’s jackets, one white bandmaster’s jacket and cap, and 40 uniform blouses for the choir at The Salvation Army church in Mombasa. All the uniforms were made by Michael’s wife - Jean Whybrow of Bandbox Tailors - who accompanied him to Kenya.

 

Five instruments and a new digital camera were individually donated.

 

Thanks to some generous baggage allowances from Kenya Airways, the Whybrows took six cases of uniforms and other items to Mombasa. Careful negotiations had to be undertaken in Nairobi when customs wanted to impose importation charges, but thankfully they decided otherwise.

 

“The 35 bandsmen were so excited as they put on their new red jackets,” said Michael, “and the bandmaster arrived resplendent in his new white uniform and cap to loud cheers. The band then formed up with the 40-strong choir – all wearing their new white blouses - for a long march around the city centre to show off their uniforms. The bandmaster – Samson by name - declared that “he had a new cap and uniform today and was so happy, but the man inside today was a new man also - hallelujah!”

 

“This has been a life-changing experience,” said Michael. “We are now inextricably linked with this place, and so proud to have been part of what has happened. It’s an ongoing association.”

Pictured above are scenes from the Mombasa trip.