A devoted Pendle grandmother is making her third and final journey to Brazil to help mend the lives of those living in squalor.
Maggie Randall will join a team called “Open Hands” in October to build family homes in Campo Largo for those currently living with no running water or proper sanitation.
The trip, which has been organised by Mission Direct, will also see former teacher Maggie visit other projects, including drug rehabilitation centres and children’s clubs in the area. The 72-year-old, who attends The Mission, in Nelson, admits she is apprehensive about the level of energy needed for the trip, but that she is also excited for the two-week challenge.
She will also be taking the opportunity to meet a young girl called India, who she met on her first visit to the country.
Maggie, of Priestfield Avenue, Colne, said: “I know I can’t do this any more, and I know that I get very tired now.
“But I think I will keep in touch with them out there. I have never done anything like it in my life - it is something very very special.
“This will be my third and final visit, so I am trying to raise funds towards the trip and to help finance the building work. Without us, the homes will not be built as the government does little or nothing to assist the poor. “The World Cup has just exacerbated the problems because of the billions of dollars that have been spent on new stadiums and infrastructure. More will be spent to house the Olympics in 2016.”
On her first trip to Brazil, Maggie acted as a volunteer to help with the building of simple houses for slum dwellers, and on her return to the country last year she assisted in the building of new orphanage homes.
She added: “One in three girls, and one in six boys, are sexually abused in Brazil. It is children like these I was able to help last time I went to Brazil, by assisting in the building of three new orphanage homes called La Feliz.”
A Round The World Safari Supper and an Auction of Promises has already been held to drive up funds for the project, and a charity garage sale will take place in Priestfield Avenue, near Alkincoats Park, tomorrow between 10am and 1pm. A cardboard sleep-out is also due to be held on October 3rd.
To make a donation and help change the lives of favela families, contact Maggie Randall on 869557 or The Mission on 700058.
