15 Mar Northampton Rotarian Awarded MBE
Local rotarian Keith Fossey was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list and was presented with the award in March by Princess Anne.
Keith was honoured for over 22 years of voluntary work with a UK charity called Swaziland Schools Projects (SSP). He has been Chair for 10 years and Operations Manager for 15 years.
The charity raises money in the UK and then supports education in Eswatini, the country that used to be called Swaziland.
The project works to get children into education so they can escape poverty and to inspire them to look forward to a rewarding adult life.
In addition to paying school fees for orphans and vulnerable children, the charity builds classrooms, toilets, teacher’s houses and much more.
Eswatini is about the size of Wales and has a population of around 1.1 million. It has the highest HIV infection rate in the world with 27% of the population infected by the disease. Over 60% live beneath the poverty level.
When Keith and his wife Liz started going to Eswatini, the life expectancy was 30. It is now about 57 because anti retro viral medicine (to stop HIV developing into AIDS) is more readily available and because schools are educating children about it.
Keith received a phone call in mid-December last year from the British High Commissioner in Eswatini to inform him that he had been recognised for his charity work. He was asked to keep it secret until almost midnight on 30th December. As you might imagine, New Year’s Eve was a special occasion!
Keith accepted the award on behalf of all the Trustees who have served on the UK Board of Trustees over 23 years and for the amazing team of volunteers in Eswatini.
Want to find out more?
The charity’s website is at www.swazilandschoolsprojects.org.
You can make a donation by visiting the website and clicking on the link on their donation page.
As well as his commitment to SSP Keith is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Nene Valley based in Northampton where he works with other rotary colleagues supporting local and international communities. Rotary has been supportive of Keith’s overseas work.
If you would like to become involved in supporting your local communities and charities please e-mail joinin@rotarynenevalley.org.uk . Rotary is always looking for new members and is open to all fair minded adults regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or religion.
