In the spring of 2001 Mary Faries met two individuals who inspired to start two different projects. A co-worker with a mentally challenged child brought to Mary's attention that Windreach Recreational Village was preparing to create a multi-sensory room; such facilities had been found to stimulate mentally challenged individuals and it was felt that there were children in Bermuda who would benefit immensely from such a room. Enquiries yielded the information that equipment for the room would costly starting at $2,500 for a five-foot bubble lamp. May was not deterred and presented the proposal to the membership in September 2001 for the club to raise funding for presenting the lamp in February 2002. Her enthusiasm was catching and members responding with alacrity and energy to raise two thirds of the funding at a Christmas bake and craft sale and the remainder from a bingo night.

For the Christmas sale Mary baked goodies, carted tables in her car, set up early in the morning and enthusiastically donned her Altrusa apron along with other club members to become a super sales person; not only for goodies and crafts but also for Altrusa and the benefits of membership. From the bingo night we can attest that she is a great bartender and is never short of a witty phrase.

The second individual she met at a church conference in St. Lucia. He was to inspire in her a personal challenge. His name if Father Ho Lung and he is the director of the Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica whose prime ministry is to care for the abandoned; physically and mentally disabled children and young adults, cripple, mute, sick children and elderly and terminally ill Aids and cancer patients.

In November 2001 Mary arranged for Father Ho Lung and Friends to present a concert of music composed and written by him in Bermuda. She single handedly arranged accommodation with local families and again fired up friends to support this worthwhile cause. But Mary was not content to just aid by raising funds. In February of 2002 she gathered a group of seven others to fly to Jamaica for a week and provide hands on service. While working with the Brothers she assisted in helping to play, bathe and feed the children, change dressings and chat with the elderly.

On her return our local newspaper highlighted how she found a challenge and met it and continues to grow from her experiences. Her selfless devotion to this cause continued upon her return in that she continues to gather donations of simple household items we take for granted such as towels, face cloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste and lotion and used clothing and arranges shipment to the mission.

Mary Faries has discovered two worthwhile causes she feels passionately about. In the course of following her heart she is also inspiring others as to the difference a single individual can make.

@EDITRULE:

Kenisha Francis, daughter of Cornell and Scherene Bailey, graduated with her Masters Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Management. The graduation was on May 17, 2003 at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, USA. Attending the graduation were her parents, her brother Cornell Jr., grandparents Albert and Una Francis, aunt Zina Francis, boyfriend Michael Ross, and a number of friends from the U.S. Kenisha is now living and working in Dayton, Ohio as a Community Director with Wright State University. She will also be pursuing a Doctorate Degree, and plans to return to Bermuda after completing her Ph. D.