From Africa to Rouken Glen

Rouken Glen rangers have swapped ideas and stories with a counterpart all the way from Tanzania!

Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 5 July 2015 14:56

Safari driver and tour guide Omari Henry Kitundu is in East Renfrewshire on a visit.
And he has been introduced to well-known Rouken Glen Park staff Garry Nixon and Billy Fry.

They’ve had the chance to exchange information and find out more about the differences of working in parks 5000 miles apart.

The meeting and tour of Rouken Glen was arranged by East Renfrewshire resident and regular park visitor Phyllis Hutchison.

Phyllis is the founder of Scottish Friends of Children Concern Foundation, which raises money to help orphaned children in Tanzania.
She met Omari when she travelled to Tanzania to go on safari and he was the driver on her trip.

Phyllis asked to visit one of the orphanages as she had some small gifts from home. She was so moved by the children’s plight, she pledged to help.

Phyllis said: “It was there I learned the extent of the poverty in that particular area. When I returned to the UK I kept in contact with Omari and set up the charity, for which Omari now helps with ‘on the ground’ activity in Tanzania.”

Omari has loved being in East Renfrewshire and was delighted to meet senior park ranger Garry and Billy, who is senior foreperson.
He said: “It is fantastic. Rouken Glen is a beautiful attraction and my favourite feature is the waterfall. I am hoping to come back to and visit again.”

The park staff enjoyed sharing the jewel in East Renfrewshire’s crown with Omari.

Billy said it was a rare chance to compare the differences of working in a Scottish park and one in east Africa.

“Garry knows a lot about birds and Omari is more likely to encounter bats, so it’s the birdman meeting batman! Phyllis walks often in the park and we were happy to help.”

Phyllis’s charity supports the work of the Children Concern Foundation, which runs the orphanage she visited.

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