AFTER £1,000 of fundraising and a three year wait, an orphanage in Kenya has welcomed its newest resident thanks to an Ilminster woman.

Linda Vijeh, a Rotarian and county councillor, was inspired after a a charity trip to Africa.

In 2017, she ventured to Nyumbani Village, near Kenyan capital Nairobi, as part of a team of Rotarians.

She said: “There were 14 of us and we had all agreed to raise funds in support of CORGI, also spending two weeks painting, decorating and doing maintenance work for both Nyumbani and a nearby village in Kitui district that was set up in 2006.

“The orphanage, set up by Jesuit Priest Father D’Agostino in 1992, provides a home for 120 children affected by HIV/AIDS.”

But Cllr Vijeh’s charity mission didn’t finish when back in UK.

“As funding streams become ever more difficult, they are making a real effort to become self-sustainable by investing in projects to bring in much needed income,” she said.

“There are no simple answers to the multitude of problems that exist in the world, but I am more convinced than ever that doing something practical is of far more value than just putting my hand in my pocket.”

Cllr Vijeh started fundraising to buy the orphanage its own cow, and got a big boost when she was donated a calf to auction by farmer Sue Osborne.

“I was determined to raise enough money to buy them a cow so that they could produce their own milk, said Cllr Vijeh.

After hitting her £1,000 target, she had to play the waiting game, but last month receive confirmation of her cow’s arrival, and a photo for proof.

And there was a bonus boost, as Linda’s bovine gift was already pregnant when it arrived at Nyumbani Village.