Fred comes to stay

Fred Taban arrived on the evening of 4^th June to stay with Caroline Lamb for 3 nights so he could be here for her annual open garden fundraiser!  Really wonderful to see him again and catch up. Fred is over from Kajo Keji South Sudan for 2 years studying at All Nations College for a BA in Theology and Intercultural studies. Every time we see Fred he looks a little different – probably due to a healthier diet!  He also now wears varifocal glasses and has even been to the dentist, simple thing that we take for granted.

Having Fred visiting is such a great way of actually proving how important the work of Cress is and the difference it makes to peoples’ lives.

Coombe Bissett School has been so moved by a talk on South Sudan by Caroline Lamb they had done some fund raising and had £66 to give Cress.  Caroline immediately thought of Fred who was delighted as he could now purchase another solar panel for his home, which would mean light for a second room.

Caroline and Fred visited the school and spent an hour with the Debbie Cochran, Head Teacher and the class reps showing them photos of life in South Sudan.  They listened intently to Fred talk about his life in a refugee camp, the children were captivated that this well spoken man lived in such poverty.  All that talking made Fred very thirsty so enjoyed a Coca Cola with his lunch, his favourite drink and a real treat as very expensive back home.

We have learnt that four men that Cress supports in South Sudan were mugged in the vehicle they were travelling to Juba in – the robbers took their money and phones.  They of course cannot buy another phone as they do not have money – they politely tell Caroline of such incidents hoping that she will say yes to new phones for them