A teacher once told Jane Laurie she would never amount to anything, but Dunedin children’s author Rachel McCoubrey knew different — so she wrote a book about ‘Mama Jane’s’ life’s work as Fountain of Peace New Zealand’s founder.
McCoubrey discovered the depth of Mrs Laurie’s work while on a two-week trip to the Ugandan Fountain of Peace village last year with a group of 10 others. The village contained family-based homes for life for 85 orphaned and abandoned babies and children.
While working as Tear Fund regional manager, ‘Mama Jane’ first met Peace Ruharuza when the two travelled New Zealand together on a speaking tour.
Mrs Ruharuza’s early life of poverty forced her to scavenge for food to survive until Tear Fund assistance changed her life.
‘Mama-Jane’ resigned from Tear Fund to found New Zealand Fountain of Peace in 2012 after learning of Mrs Ruharuza’s dream to help orphaned and abandoned children McCoubrey said she felt out of her comfort zone when she first arrived in Uganda — knowing many of the children had experienced traumatic starts to life.
"But when we got to the children’s home... the welcome we got was like nothing else...the big embraces.
"It just felt natural being with the children.
"It struck me how very normal the children were — very happy, secure children."
But felt she could not write a book about their stories.
"They were too personal."
She recalled a book she had been given about an unassuming teacher who went on wild holiday adventures.
"And it just made me think of Jane, like a little Invercargill granny, but then she goes off to Africa twice a year... it’s quite intrepid."
McCoubrey was inspired by ‘Mama Jane’s’ adventures and knew they would make a great children’s book she titled ‘Mama Jane’s Journey’.
"So, I thought writing Jane’s story was a nice starting point."
While returning to New Zealand, the first draft was written on a napkin as it unfolded in her imagination.
"On the plane, I didn’t have any paper, but I had these ideas popping around my head and I thought, ‘well I need to get these down’ — I was feeling inspired."
"When I travel, I daydream a bit. I like to use the time to wander off in my mind. I’m a bit of a creative weirdo.
As a former teacher and mother of two teenagers, McCoubrey knew children’s books written in rhyme were easier for children to read and comprehend.
Once the narrative had been developed, inspiration for the watercolour illustrations started.
Further watercolour portraits were also produced for the book's launch.
Her four previously published children’s titles, St Clair Splash,
Remarkable Meg, Kakapo Moon and Turkey on the Loose all had a New Zealand theme and were used to help raise funds for charity.
The run of 500 books were selling for $20 on Fountain of Peace NZ website and McCoubrey has donated all sales towards building a well near the Fountain of Peace village.
