From Canada to Africa to New Zealand, Marilyn Skinner, founder of the Watoto Child Care Ministries, has travelled the world - and next week will be speaking in Eltham.
Canadian-born Marilyn and her husband Gary founded the Watoto Child Care Ministries in 1994. The organisation cares for almost 3000 African children in Watoto villages, built by the ministries in Uganda, and aims to raise every child in a family setting rather than an institution.
As part of this organisation Marilyn has also founded the Watoto Children's Choir, which tours the world raising awareness for the 14 million children orphaned by Aids.
Marilyn is travelling around New Zealand talking about her book Return to Dignity, a collection of true stories following eight women who overcame adversities such as being sold into marriage at a young age, testing positive for HIV and abuse.
Eltham resident Sonia Bluett says when she heard Marilyn was going to be in New Zealand "I thought what a wonderful opportunity it could be for our community to hear her speak".
