MaryKhan (nee Clifford) first went to South Africa in the late sixties where she worked in the pre-school of an orphanage in Grahamstown. Bethlehem Home was run by the Sisters for orphaned and abandoned children. Whilst there Mary met two little sisters who were brought into the Home. Their names were Betty and Jennifer and they were 4 and 5 years old.

Mary became their Godmother and after working at the Home for some 10 months she returned home to England, married and did not return to S.Africa for 35 years. She did however keep in touch with Betty & Jennifer and the Sisters but in particular Mary formed a special friendship with Sister Dorianne.

When Mary returned to South Africa for a friend´s wedding she felt she had to visit Grahamstown and see the Sisters and Betty and Jennifer. What she saw has changed the course of her life. She found Betty was using her small sitting room as a pre-school for some 30 children and her heart went out to them.

Thinking of her own grand-children (Mary is blessed with 6 grand-children) back home in their lovely pre-school, she vowed to do some-thing to help these children and generations to come and so Rainbow Kidz Charity was born.

Sister Dorianne started her long search for a plot of land to build or a suitable building to convert. Mary returned home and shared her vision with her family, church and friends and so the fund-raising commenced. Together with her husband Paul and dear friend Peter Koukoulis they continue to seek to fulfil the vision to build a Centre to serve the community in the Township of Grahamstown where back in the nineteen sixties a special bond was set and then renewed in 2003 between Mary and the children of Grahamstown.

Sister Dorianne is an Anglican Nun in the Community of the Resurrection, Grahamstown. She is 92 years old and formerly from North London, England. Sister Dorianne is the most active 92 year old you could hope to meet and does not allow her age to get in the way. She is truly a pioneer and a champion. She can keep up a conversation with any young person on sport! She is a keen football and cricket fan and knows all the players by name and follows sport avidly. She still studies at Rhodes University to keep her mind active she says. She always gets top marks!

Mary first met Sister Dorianne in North London where Mary lived and where the Sisters had their English Retreat House, St. Peter´s Bourne in Oakleigh Park. Mary was 17 years at the time and they have remained good friends ever since.