their lives with any hope of a decent quality of life.


The Nuns were doing their utmost to keep up with this sad situation, all be it they were struggling. The founder of this charity, Capt. Bill MacDonald, came across the orphanage with a colleague whilst visiting the area, and much to his upset saw the distress and hardship the Nuns were facing. On that day Capt. Bill made a commitment to set up a foundation in the name of his late mother Catriona Macdonald and to support the Nuns in improving the children’s quality of life.


With the support from friends, business colleagues and lots of dedicated help over the past few years the situation today has changed dramatically, and the orphanage is a much-loved home and school. It now has a fully functioning water irrigation system, a working farm to encourage the healthy promotion of sustenance


He added, “We observed that these men would frequently simply leave their leave full time occupation, rush to the vessel, fill in pre- prepared questionnaires and take a few photographs.”


Time has moved on and the Report Magazine once again caught up with Capt. Bill to learn more about his personal and very direct involvement in the Catriona MacDonald Foundation in South America.


The words have been provided by Elaine Moore who picks up the story. Eight years ago, amongst the beautiful South American Rainforest, five Catholic Nuns worked tirelessly around the clock to provide a safe place for approximately one hundred homeless, abandoned children.


Orphaned children in Latin America is an ever-growing tragedy and these children face extreme poverty, violence and abuse. In an area often associated with the highest crime and malnutrition rates in the world, none of the children in the orphanage started


The Report • March 2020 • Issue 91 | 35


and healthy living - (Capt. Bill calls it his little South American Croft) - fully equipped classrooms with access to learning materials, including a library and computer area vital to the importance of giving the children an opportunity for a better future in developing their learning skills.


The education side of the orphanage has superseded all expectations and now provides additional day care programme for local families, which aids parents who are able to work with a lifeline to provide for their families.


2019 saw the development of a much-needed sports area which allows the children to have physical education as part of their daily lives (especially the football training sessions) in a safe, happy environment.


For more details see: www.catrionamacdonaldfoundation.com


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