Six years ago as Christmas approached, twelve year-old Valerie Rowell's parents asked what she would like for a present. You'd expect most twelve year-olds to ask for clothes or perhaps jewellery, sports equipment, or computer games, but not this girl. She wanted to adopt a child in Africa.

That was an exciting Christmas for Valerie as she unwrapped her most valued present, a box that contained a photo and description of Sidesi, her foster child from Malawi; however, by Boxing Day, she began to think that one child wasn't enough. She wanted more.

That's great her parents responded, but you'll have to raise the money yourself. For most twelve year-olds, that would have been the end of the story, but for Valerie it was just the beginning.

A singer and musician, she decided to organize a special Valentines Day fundraising concert which she called "To Africa With Love".

Only thirty to forty people attended that year, but they had big hearts. They raised a total of $1,116 so Valerie was able to adopt three more children - David from Ghana, Fire from Ethiopia, and Angola from Zambia.

Since then To Africa With Love has become an annual concert and it has grown every year allowing Valerie, now eighteen, to continue to sponsor her first four children and to add four more - Sibiho from Zimbabwe, Grace from Ghana, Esubalew from Ethiopia, and Tony from Lebanon.

When I am in Zimbabwe next month, I hope to be able to visit Sibiho, Valerie's adopted child in that country.

"Music and helping others are my passion," she enthused, a passion she absorbed from her Grandfather, George Rowell, who passed away last year.

"He was the most amazing person," she told me. "He sponsored children and adults all over the world and often sent them through college. He totally inspired me."

Valerie graduated from Dover Bay Secondary last year and now has a job as a nanny, teaches singing to children, works at Clair's Jewellery Store, and of course continues to organize her annual To Africa With Love concerts. She's also been World Vision's Youth Representative for Canada since she was 16.

Last year on her spring break, Valerie joined the Praxis Project, a group of teenagers who spend several days living with street people on Vancouver's Downtown East Side.

"We learned about them and got to know them," she explained, "and it was really hard. We saw some people pass away and others going through withdrawal. That opened my eyes to just how much I want to help people. I just want to do everything I can."

Valerie is still not sure how best to reach her ever-growing desire to help more and more people. Becoming a guidance teacher is just one possibility. In the meantime she will continue with her three jobs, her volunteer work with World Vision, and her concerts.

This year's goal is to raise the money needed to continue sponsoring the eight current children and to add more. Any extra money will be used to buy special Christmas presents for her children and their families, gifts like blankets ... or goats.

The 2004 To Africa With Love concert will be held at 7:30 this Friday, December 17 at the First Baptist Church, 1650 Waddington Road. The concert will feature Valerie's Jazz Combo, the duet of Valerie and her dad, a Hand Bell Choir, and a group known as Alegria (I've heard them and they're fabulous).

Can you think of a better way to get in the Christmas spirit?

To nominate a Neighbourhood Hero or to read old columns, go to www.nhero.org.