By Mark Barrow
A REMARKABLE couple from Mossley who were so inspired by homeless Kenyan children have dedicated their lives to helping them.
Back in 2011, Gayle Woods, 57, and husband Paul, 59, went on holiday to Mombasa and after witnessing children living in squalor, they knew they had to do something about it.
They set up Gap Kenya, a charity which helps children by giving them food and shelter, and by April 2013 the couple had relocated to Mombasa permanently to pursue their project.
Gayle, formerly a midwife at Tameside hospital for over 30 years, explained: “After our holiday we couldn’t stand back and do nothing.
“We didn’t really know how to start the charity, but a door opened and we walked through it.”
The couple got to work helping children, babies and young mothers by initially opening the Stepping Stones day-centre in the hope of getting them off the streets and by placing them in Kenyan homes.
Many have died from disease and poverty and if there is no financial support from other family members then there is often little alternative than to live off other people’s rubbish.
Many of the children can’t read or write, while HIV, prostitution and trafficking are rife.
The couple told how ‘street kids’ as young as five spend what little money they have on glue to sniff to numb their minds from illness or distract from their mission of looking for rotten scraps.
The generous pair recently experienced huge risks themselves as they were held at gunpoint close to the house they have lived in for two years.
But despite the frightening incident, Gayle and Paul are determined to improve thechildren’s otherwise unthinkable lives, with their programmes of cooked meals, fresh bread and juice.
Gayle said: “It’s a lovely feeling – being able to make someone smile from what seems like such a small gesture. You feel like you’re changing a kid’s life.”
One success the couple points to is 14 year-old Eli, who was bottom of the class at school three years ago and apparently beyond help – but he is now off the streets and excelling at boarding school.
However, the couple know it is one step along a very long journey and admit they won’t have success with every child they come across.
But ever ambitious to help more people Paul, who developed bowel cancerlast year, revealed they now hope to raiseenough money to fund a minibus to transport the children around.
He said: “We realise we’re on a long journey and have only come a short distance. We are already having an impact on lives, and so that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s brilliant to think we are able to make such a big difference.”
To find out more about Gayle and Paul’s work or to donate to their charity, visit their website www.gapkenya.com
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