McCoubrey decided to write a book about "Mama Jane’s" work as the founder of Fountain of Peace New Zealand, a charitable organisation which aims to relieve poverty, advance education and promote research for the eradication of poverty.
McCoubrey discovered the depth of Mrs Laurie’s work while on a two-week trip to the Ugandan Fountain of Peace compound last year with a group of 10 others.
The organisation operated homes for 85 orphaned and abandoned babies and children — a family-based home for life.
"Mama-Jane" Laurie founded the New Zealand branch of Fountain of Peace in 2012 after a speaking tour in Uganda with her work as a Tear Fund regional manager.
It was then she met Peace Ruharuza, who had a dream to help orphaned Ugandan children.
Mrs Ruharuza’s former life of poverty as a child forced her to scavenge for food to survive until Tear Fund help changed her life.
McCoubrey said she felt out of her comfort zone when she first arrived in Uganda.
"But when we got to the children’s home, the welcome we got was like nothing else ... the big embraces.
"It just felt natural being with the children.
"It struck me how very normal the children were, very happy, secure children."
Most of the Fountain of Peace children had experienced a traumatic start to their lives.
"I felt I couldn’t write about the children’s stories — they were too personal."
She recalled a book she had been given about a frumpy teacher who had wild holiday adventures.
"And it just made me think of Jane, like a little Invercargill granny, but then she goes off to Africa twice a year ... it’s quite intrepid."
McCoubrey was inspired by Ms Laurie’s adventures and knew they would make a great children’s book — Mama Jane’s Journey.
"So, I thought writing Jane’s story was a nice starting point."
While returning to New Zealand, the first draft was written on a napkin as it unfolded in her imagination.
"On the plane, I didn’t have any paper, but I had these ideas popping around my head and I thought, ‘well I need to get these down’ — I was feeling inspired.
"When I travel, I daydream a bit. I like to use the time to wander off in my mind. I’m a bit of a creative weirdo," McCoubrey said.
As a former teacher and mother of two teenagers, McCoubrey knew children’s books written in rhyme were easier for children to read.
Once the narrative had been developed, inspiration for the watercolour illustrations started. Further watercolour portraits were also produced for the book’s launch in Invercargill last Tuesday and Dunedin last Saturday.
Her four previously published children’s titles, St Clair Splash, Remarkable Meg, Kakapo Moon and Turkey on the Loose all had a New Zealand theme and were used to help raise funds for charity.
The run of 500 books were selling for $20 on Fountain of Peace NZ website and McCoubrey has donated all sales towards building a well near the Ugandan orphanage.
- By Toni McDonald
