A woman from Bedford has had her "dream" come true, after opening an orphanage for children in Kenya.
Debbie Scott first revealed her dream when she appeared on BBC Three Counties three years ago.
And on January 29 she finally opened Casuar
ina House, which is the new home to 20 children whose parents have died from Aids, which has ravaged their home village of Utange.
The opening was marked with a parade from around 600 local residents.
Debbie said: "Waiting on the steps of Casaurina House was like waiting for the unknown, I had no idea what was coming round the corner.
"Then suddenly it was like a whirlwind coming towards me. Hundreds of smiling people, loud drums banging, and the joy on the orphans faces all made for a very emotional moment which will stay with me forever."
Debbie spent three years fundraising and planning for the project after she met local pastor John Kahindi while on the family holiday to Kenya in 2006.
She said her own faith had played an important part in deciding to set up the orphanage.
Her next step will be to buy more land so that the orphanage can grow its own crops and become self-sufficient.
For more information about the Utange Orphanage Project visit
www.thesurefoundation.org.uk and click on Utange project.
