A COUPLE of have spoken of their sadness after leaving behind their friends in Namibia to return home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Roger and Linda Bullen had been in the African country while working for the foundation set up in the memory of their daughter, Catherine.

The Catherine Bullen Foundation was set up to fight poverty in rural Namibia and is now in its fifth year.

Medical student Catherine died suddenly from severe gastroenteritis while visiting the African country on her way to a placement in Tanzania and Zambia in 2002.

Since her death, the foundation has raised thousands of pounds for projects in Namibia, including clinics and a multi-purpose hall at a primary school.

Roger and Linda had travelled to Namibia on February 18 as part of their work.

They had spent four weeks at a clinic in the Omaheke where Linda who is a registered nurse worked.

Then they were due to move to Oshivelo in the north, where a clinic was built in Catherine’s memory but their plans were then halted. 

Roger said: “We were about to go there but then we got a call from the British High Commission saying there would be an announcement from the Foreign Office.

“Then a week ago they said all British nationals need to return home.”

The couple initially managed to book a flight via Johannesburg but after turning up at the airport they found it had been cancelled.

The couple then found another flight via Botswana but were advised if they would likely be turned away at the airport.

A repatriation flight was organised by the High Commissioner and the couple, along with 50 others, were taken via coach to the airport as the city of Windhoek went into lockdown around them.

They were flown on a small plane to a neighbouring African country and then onward to Addis Ababa where they had to stay for two nights before catching a plane to London.

“We didn’t really want to come home,” Roger said.

“We have so much to do there and so many friends.

“It is so scary. If it spreads in Namibia the health service will never cope.

“We felt quite emotional when we travelled to the airport. We have got half finished projects which we will have to leave until it blows over. Hopefully they can be started again.”

The couple, who arrived home in Mersea on Monday, will now spend 14 days in self isolation.

As like so many other charities, they have had to put their fund raising activities on hold.

To donate to the foundation visit www.namibia-aid.org.uk or send a cheque to 15 Colchester Road West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8RS.