Noosa psychologist Marnie Bassingthwaight who works with local children will host a mini-festival this Saturday then walk the Larapinta trail in the Australian outback in a bid to raise $5000 to help children in Kenya.
Marnie said at a time when she was working with children who had experienced trauma she became aware of a grassroots charity, Rafiki Mwema, in Kenya that was using evidence-based methods and gaining exceptional results with children who had suffered sexual abuse.
In Kenya sexually abused children are stigmatised and can become the target of further abusive treatment, making it unsafe for them to return to their homes, she said.
“The charity was started by an Australian woman who visited Kenya and saw the plight of children who have been sexually abused,” Marnie said.
“Rafiki Mwema now own a therapeutic farm where children who aren’t safe at home can live and be safe and loved and have trauma-informed therapy and education. There are always more children than resources and so this grassroots charity is constantly stretched to its limit. I have supported them for years and they are so authentic and transparent.
“Once I knew about this charity, I couldn’t not be involved. The work they do is literally life-changing for some of Kenya’s most vulnerable, most wonderful children.”
In addition the charity holds regular outreach services for street kids, providing them with food as well as medical and support services.
On Saturday 16 July the African Sunset festival will be held from 2-9pm at Verrierdale Hall.
The family friendly festival of beats and grooves will feature DJ sets by Jez D, factor_j and Tom Bass, with drinks by Your Mates Brewery.
To donate to Marnie’s fundraiser visit rafiki-larapinta-2022.raisely.com/marnie-bassingthwaighte#donate
For more information on Rafiki Mwema visit rafikimwema.com/
