Hope for African children orphaned by AIDS and war will be extended through the proceeds of a regular series of boot fairs launched at Westgate Community Centre.

The first event took place at the Lymington Road venue in aid of Christian charity Watoto. This provides homes and communities for Ugandan children with no-one to care for them and nowhere to go - sometimes they have been simply left to die.

They include youngsters left alone after their parents have died of AIDS and child soldiers, sucked into the hate machine, some orphaned by war.

The inaugural Westgate fundraiser was attended by 18 stall holders and made a profit of £170.

It was organised by Garlinge social worker Penny Wells, a member of the Thanet International Community Church (TICC) which meets at the Marlowe Academy every Sunday.

The church is supporting Watoto (which means “the children”) and has a £16,000 target towards building a new home for eight children and a housemother.

This would be incorporated in one of three Watoto “villages”, each home to some 600 children and supporting a school and medical centre.

Ms Wells visited a Watoto village when she went to a conference for international delegates in Uganda in September.

A remarkable ethos of the communities is their vision and supported by the children that they are the future leaders of their country.

The youngsters have high aspirations and Watoto instils and nurtures great hope in them.

Ms Wells said: “Watoto really gives a sense that it is making a difference to children’s lives. The hope is that what Watoto does can be taken throughout Africa.”

All money raised by TICC goes directly to help the cause. Once church members have reached their target, they hope to go to Uganda next year to build their home.

The next boot fair will take place on Saturday, January 10, at Westgate Community Centre, from 9am to noon. It will then become a monthly feature on the second Saturday of each month.Anyone interested in participating can contact Ms Wells on 07926 052125. More information is available at www.thanet-icc.com