Leah Bennett

Leah Bennett, daughter of Dick and Linda Bennett, will be representing Bridgton’s First Congregational Church, UCC on a service trip to the Kakamega Orphans Care Centre, in Kenya this summer. The Care Centre is a Quaker organization that is also supported by a wide range of volunteers and donors.

This Friday, May 17, there will be a public supper at First Church at 6 p.m. In addition to a presentation by the Rev. Carra McFadden, the trip’s leader, folks will share a traditional African meal and activities. Many people have been lending support with monetary gifts, along with donations of school supplies and clothing for the Care Centre.

Should you wish to support Leah’s adventure, please feel free to come to the dinner or drop off donations (especially clothing for children aged six to 12) at First Congregational. Additional donations of sheets, towels, soccer balls, volleyballs, badminton birdies, fleece and lightweight jackets. Donations need not be brand new but should be in good condition.

Leah is member of a volunteer group of 12 who will journey the eight hours from Nairobi to Kakamega, which lies just north of Lake Victoria in Kenya’s historic Rift Valley. The Centre cares for 50 AIDS orphans who live and learn there year-round. The volunteers will be providing summer camp activities to the Care Centre’s children as well as to local Kakamega children.

Leah is a 2011 graduate of Lakes Region High School and now attends Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. Leah is a junior majoring in Sociology with a minor in German.