Glad's House making a difference in Kenya

The Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa and charity Glad's House have combined to provide a former street child with a week she will never forget at Karen Country Club.

Anna Achieng is caddying this week for Marco Iten in Nairobi as Glad's House and the European Tour continue their relationship, which strives to help the under privileged in east Africa.<br /><br />Formed 12 years ago by Victoria Ferguson and Frederick ‘Bokey’ Achola in the coastal city of Mombasa, Glad's House aims to improve the lives of young adults and children living on the streets by offering them counselling, training and, most importantly, a home.

Glad's House - named after Ferguson's grandmother Gladys - started as a sports club but after registering as a charity, it established a partnership with golf resort Vipingo Ridge, allowing the young people it was working with to be caddies at the club.

Helped by funds from the European Tour, three professional caddies helped train them and the project was taken further, with some going on to caddie in the Kenyan tournament in recent seasons.

<blockquote title="MI Ken">I was told she was one of the best caddies here and she did a perfect job. She helped me out a great deal - <strong>Marco Iten</strong></blockquote>

This year - as the event makes its debut on the European Tour - it is Anna who gets to walk the fairways with the professionals and Swiss Iten is delighted to have her on the bag.

"She's been helping me out all week," he said. "We started on Monday and Tuesday with the practice rounds and it's gone on from there.

"I was told she was one of the best caddies here and she did a perfect job. She helped me out a great deal."