Carrie's life-changing jungle adventure

A BEAUTICIAN has returned home after a “life-changing” stint  looking after orphans in the Philippine jungle.

Carrie Platts (36), of Whiston, spent five weeks living in a bamboo hut with no running water while caring for four babies abandoned by their mothers.

She fed the orphans, kept them safe and administered medical treatment, as well as working with people from the local Aeta tribe at a near-by hospital.

Her diet consisted mainly of rice and vegetables—apart from a one-off meal of lizard, given to her as a gift by a tribe member.

“I wanted to do something to help people less fortunate and to put life into perspective,” she said.

“Sometimes we don’t realise how lucky we are and take things for granted.”

Carrie dealt with life-and-death situations on a daily basis which at times was “extremely hard.”

She added: “While I was there, one of the babies needed a blood transfusion. We had to take them to the Mayor’s office to get a letter to take to the Red Cross to get the blood and then take the blood to the hospital.

“The average life expectancy is 22 years. Life is cheap and they haven’t got the skills we have so they don't recognise illness until it’s too late.

“It was hard emotionally to see what life was like for these people. The children out there have nothing and they are constantly fighting against mother nature.

“But when I went into the village and met people, they were content, generous and they did smile.”

The orphanage project was launched in 2003 by founder, Sherry Zimmer, who set up The SCOTS Foundation to start work on her dream to help abandoned children.

Her vision started out as a single bamboo hut and now, despite regular donors, the project relies on fund-raising and is still work in progress. The next step is to build a deep water well and employ a health worker.

Around 20 children have been taken in by Sherry over the last few years and the hope is that the capacity will grow.

Carrie heard about the orphanage though a client at her hair, nail and beauty salon. She e-mailed Sherry in March and six months later boarded a plane from Manchester...and never looked back.

"At first I was aware that I was on my own and could not quite believe I was doing it, but the site itself was idyllic. Sherry has done so much with it over the last few years.

“To live that life for five weeks felt liberating, but it was hard work.We were working 24/7.

“It was a relief to leave behind make-up and hair straighteners and you were lucky if you cleaned your teeth before midday.”

And aside from a close encounter with a snake and washing in a canal everyday, Carrie returned from her experience feeling grateful, moved and eager to return.

“It was a privilege to have had this experience and I can’t wait to go back,” she said. “It was such an eye-opening experience and an amazing trip which will change my life forever.”

For more information visit www.thescotsfoundation.org.uk