Rescued orphan's bid to help children on the streets of Uganda (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Orphans Know More to hold a concert in Harpenden to raise money

1:40pm Tuesday 17th August 2010 in News By Manisha Mistry

A RESCUED orphan who lives in Harpenden is hoping to give children in Uganda a new lease of life.

Sosthene Maletoungou, of Highfield Oval, works for Orphans Know More – a charity which supports children on the streets of the poverty-stricken village.

The 33-year-old spoke to the Review about his bid to help young orphans after facing a daily struggle to survive as a child when he, along with his four younger siblings, was separated from his parents.

At the age of eight Sosthene's mother and father divorced and without guidance in his life he relied on stealing to survive starvation.

Things changed for the better for Sosthene after he was rescued by Christians in his home town in the central African republic.

“Looking back at that story of my life I would never think today I would have been educated. I am married, I have been given the gift of a child and it was all like a miracle”, he said.

“After my parents divorced my mum was involved with her new boyfriend and my dad had no money.

“We just ended up in the street picking up anything to eat just so we wouldn't starve. But one day I followed some kids to play football and they gave me a drink after – that was like heaven on earth for me.”

Enticed by the free drink Sosthene said he would return every day before discovering it was a church.

He added: “When they found out I was an orphan they decided to look after me. This is why I am so committed to the cause of orphans around the world.

“My belief is that today I have a feeling of hope and I have a family and if such a change can happen in my life the same can happen to other orphans. I want to bring this hope to them.”

After joining the charity in 2005 Sosthene came to England and in winter 2007 he went to study in America where he met his wife, 26-year-old Kara, and the pair are celebrating the birth of their three-month-old son Nathanael.

The family live in Highfield Oval, Harpenden, where Orphans Know More is based. Money raised by the charity helps to provide education and medical care to HIV positive children plus social worker access.

Sosthene added: “I believe if we do something for them, give them just a little bit of help, many more orphans will overcome it just like I did.”

In a bid to raise more money Sosthene has organised a charity concert and picnic on Saturday, August 28.

For six hours a packed programme of music will entertain the crowds on their site off Ambrose Lane – including a 50-strong children's choir and St Albans group the Swanvesta Social Club.

The concert is on from 4pm until 10pm and includes free children's entertainment. Parking is free and visitors can bring along a picnic.

Tickets are available from Highfield Oval and High Street Methodist Church.

They cost £12 in advance and £15 on the day. Children aged 12 and under go free if accompanied by a parent and tickets for those aged 13 to 17 cost £8.

For more information visit www.orphansknowmore.com