A Canadian philanthropist has penned a heart-touching will over his business entity in Kenya.
About five years ago, Ted Grant, who resides in Cornwell, Prince Edward Island, was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This is a terminal disease where the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult.
Grant was forced to withdraw his direct involvement in the management of his entity, which comprises a children’s home in Kenya, as he has only 40 per cent lung capacity remaining.
“And it just gets worse, and that’s why it’s terminal. When I last saw my specialist, he stated, ‘you’re at a critical stage’. I asked him what I could do. He said, ‘go home and make every day count’. He said I could go any day.
“If God wants to take me next week, I’m good with that. But, I’m going to give until I can’t give anymore." Grant told The Guardian on October 28.
To make his last days worth it, the 76-year-old decided to have his wealth in Kenya be used to provide for the needy children.
Together with his wife, Rita, they also launched a campaign to raise more money through funds, donations and grants. The money will be channelled towards supporting and improving the lives of Kenyan children.
“It’s not in our nature to sit back and watch TV. It’s just not us. We made the decision that whatever time we had left or energy we had left we wanted to try and get over this hump caused by the pandemic.
“We’re just continuing on with whatever projects we can. What’s amazing about this is the whole thing has grown from a little idea of feeding a few kids in Kenya to a situation where we really support hundreds of thousands of people,” he added.
Founded in 2003, his businesses coupled with his children’s home, Mikinduri Children of Hope, has established seven schools in the Northeast part of Kenya and five schools on Mageta Island.
It has also assisted farmers and offered scholarships to hundreds of students. In 17 years, Grant raised Ksh222 million to aid Kenyan children.
