The artist, teacher and children’s author said she was inspired by a visit to Uganda about three years ago with a charity called Fountain of Peace, which has its New Zealand headquarters in Invercargill.
‘‘They asked me to become Otago co-ordinator and advocate for the charity. It’s just a voluntary role, but I advocate and fundraise and let people know about what the charity does,’’ she said.
‘‘There’s not a welfare system in Uganda. So, if [children are] orphaned, it’s quite desperate for them.’’
As soon as the charity proposed Ms McCoubrey oversee raising funds for a new house for orphans in Uganda, she decided she was ‘‘all-in’’.
‘‘We’ve raised about $60,000 to date — we’ve got about another $60,000 to go.
‘‘We have actually got the walls up now.’’
Ms McCoubrey has donated proceeds from her children’s books, her watercolour classes and her paintings in an effort to raise the money towards the house.
‘‘I wrote a book called Mama Jane’s Journey a few years ago. And that built a well.’’
There was also a sense of competition. The charity has already built a ‘‘Canterbury House’’ and the ‘‘Southland House’’ is presently ahead of the Otago House in terms of funds.
‘‘So, it would be great if the Otago community could get behind this.
‘‘If enough people in Otago gave $20, we could do it. So, if you could provide a home for an orphaned child for just $20, would you do it? It’s doing it brick by brick, little bit by little bit.’’
The eight orphans and their caregiver were selected by ‘‘on the ground’’ associates with the charity, she said.
‘‘They will be housed there until they finish school.
‘‘I’m enjoying the feeling of purpose ... that it’s all going to provide homes for these little children. And seeing the kindness of people has been really encouraging.’’
Ms McCoubrey said she initially felt daunted by the task of raising money, particularly given cost-of-living and fuel issues.
‘‘But you just do it little bit by little bit. And it’s incredible. As the walls are going up, I’m feeling more and more encouraged.’’
