Local man plans Africa trip, orphanage fundraiser

Billy McCoy with a mother and her baby at Mwana Villages orphanage in Pointe Noire, Congo during his trip in 2017

Sarah Giddings

Billy McCoy is on a mission again. McCoy, 44, of Florence is planning his fifth trip to the Republic of Congo in central west Africa to study abroad, complete an internship and volunteer and fundraise for orphans.

He leaves Sept. 23 for the Ecole Superior De Langues in Brazzaville where he will be teaching English as second language to K-12 students while completing courses toward his bachelor’s degree. He will also volunteer at Mwana Villages, an orphanage and shelter for homeless mothers. He plans to stay in Congo until July 2020. During his stay, he will help Mwana Villages build a new orphanage in Pointe Noire. The organization currently rents space and has outgrown the current building. His major focus is raising money and finding supplies for the project.

“The biggest thing we’re trying do is to get local organizations to donate to help pay for shipping container of building supplies to ship from Savannah, Ga. to Pointe Noire,” said McCoy. “We need to raise $4000 to pay for the shipping and we also are looking for donations of new or slightly used doors, windows, plumbing fixtures and other materials.”

For the full story, see this week’s issue of The Florence Mining News.