We did it!
Mary Kenway raised £1,445 from 29 supporters
or
Start your own crowdfunding page
Closed 15/03/2019
Weʼve raised £1,445 to pay for urgent medical care for Bertha.
- Funded on Friday, 15th March 2019
Don't have time to donate right now?
Story
Bertha is in need of urgent medical care. Thank you if you are able to make a donation.
I first met Bertha in April 2000 when she came to the UK on a visit to schools in Devon, Cornwall and Kent. She had been selected by the charity called ‘The Friends of Urambo & Mwanhala’ - which encourages school links between the UK and Tanzania - because she was a Biology teacher in Urambo at that time. Her trip was sponsored by the Cranbrook School Tanzania Project.
It was impossible not to make friends with Bertha the instant you met her. She was warm, friendly and smiley and her laugh was (and still is!) infectious. She was so interested in the children in the schools she visited and they too loved her immediately. Only those who spent longer with her learnt that privately she was still grieving for her two small children who had died not long before she flew to the UK.
On her return, Bertha continued to support the work of FUM in Tanzania and she and her husband (who was the District Medical Officer) were wonderful hosts to the English medical students who visited Urambo for their electives. Bertha herself was extremely generous with her time, mentoring biology students in Urambo Secondary School, where she was a teacher.
However only a year later, we heard that her husband David had died suddenly of cerebral malaria, leaving Bertha (who had already lost her own parents) all alone in Urambo. Seeking to start a new life, Bertha moved first to Morogoro and thence to Dar es Salaam, where she began teaching at the ABC Capital School. There she met her fiancé, Paul, and was at last beginning to find happiness again.
Very sadly, Bertha recently developed a serious skin infection, which she has allowed me to show in the photo at the top. Unfortunately, her inability to work at the moment means that she has, quite literally, run out of money and can no longer access the medical help she so desperately needs. If you can, please give a little to help us to help her do this.
Thank you!
Updates
3
- 6 years ago
Mary Kenway
6 years agoDear friends and supporters of Bertha We are so grateful for all the donations that we have already received and delighted to have reached the £1000 milestone. Bertha is nearly at the end of her treatment which is going really well but is going to rely on us for some weeks to come while she gets her strength back. For this reason I have extended her page which was about to close. Please forgive me for asking everyone again to give a little if you haven’t yet, share Bertha’s story if you know how, or even give again if you are able.
Share this update to help us raise more
- 6 years ago
Mary Kenway
6 years agoOur grateful thanks to Mr Hella for visiting Bertha on our behalf. She was so touched to see all of the beautiful messages and donations you have sent her. In the photo below, you can see Betha looking at her crowdfunding page for the very first time. Mr Hella is now trying to find somewhere for her to stay near Ocean Road Hospital to spare her the ordeal of travelling to and fro while she is feeling so poorly. I therefore ask for your continued support by sharing her story, or giving if you are able.
Share this update to help us raise more
- 6 years ago
Mary Kenway
6 years agoI am relieved to report that Bertha has now had a biopsy at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute and begins her treatment today. Unfortunately, the hospital is a fifty minute drive from her home and she will need to make this journey by bus many times over the coming months. I ask, therefore, for your continued support by sharing her story with your friends and family and donating if you are able. Every donation, big or small, will help extend her treatment and increase her chances of recovery. Thank you.
Share this update to help us raise more
Mary Kenway started crowdfunding
Leave a message of support
Supporters
29
Anonymous
Feb 2, 2019
God bless
Rod Smith
Jan 23, 2019
Keep going Mary, your target is in sight.
£30.00
John and Barbs
Jan 22, 2019
£50.00
Anonymous
Jan 21, 2019
A little more to help Bertha
Clare Glynn
Jan 20, 2019
A little bit more help for Bertha.
£25.00
Anonymous
Dec 15, 2018
Well done Mary for supporting such a lovely lady ... hope this helps a little and please wish Bertha a Happy Christmas and all the best for a much better year ahead xx
£100.00
Polly Kenway
Oct 5, 2018
To dearest Bertha, Sending so much love and luck with your treatment. Polly and Bruno Xxxx
£100.00
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered charity.
The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.
Great people make things happen
Do you know anyone in need or maybe want to help a local community cause?
Create you own page and donʼt let that cause go unfunded!
About Crowdfunding