Daughter Karenne is planning a move to South Africa soon.  But this is not about her frequent visits to Kwazulu Natal where she intends to work with children and perhaps set up a school.  This is about her fame which produced an interesting connection with the British Royal Family.

Karenne goes to South Africa usually two times a year during her vacations.  She will retire early from her teaching position in New York City but keep her business of placing children in camps.  She made friends with proprietors of a Lodge near a village where children orphaned by AIDS welcomed her.

She teaches them English and teaches games while trying to make their lives easier.  She enlisted her children in NYC schools to bring in outgrown clothing, books and other materials which she sends to the African village and when she comes each time she brings gifts that she has collected and then distributes as many as she can to as many children as she can.  She is a one woman ambassador to this corner of Africa who has certainly been accepted for all the help she gives.

Now, here is where British Royalty comes in.  The Red-headed sister-in-law of Princess Diana, (ho died so tragically) Fergie, came to the  Lodge and was told about this American teacher who spent so much of her time and life trying to make a difference with the “native” children.

Fergie asked to meet Karenne who was sitting with the children playing a game and Fergie sat herself down with them and watched.  She spoke with Karenne at length and then asked if she had a wish list.  Karenne told her what she was trying to do at present but wanted to establish a school for children with learning disabilities. Fergie invited Karenne to tea with her two daughters and got her telephone number. It took a while but some time later Fergie’s secretary called to ask how Karenne wanted the check to be made out. When Fergie was in NYC at Barnes & Noble at a book signing, Karenne went and worked her way to the front.  Fergie spotted her and called her by name inviting her to come up to the front where they spoke.

Karenne has put much of her life these last few years into this project and wants to “retire” to South Africa where she has purchased a condominium in an international community on the Indian Ocean at a distance from where she will work on establishing this school.  She is leaving a lot behind but sees her future in building something that is desperately needed in this far-off land.  She will live in a modern apartment but go to her “school” and try to build it from scratch.  She has already made a start.