CHARLENE BARR

just a little girl with a big dream

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Growing up knowing she was adopted was difficult for Charlene Barr, struggling with issues of identity and not feeling like she belonged presented real problems which she battled to overcome.

However it was when she visited Uganda in 2008 that she realised she was not alone in this struggle. The connection she made with the children there was to change her whole outlook on life as she witnessed first hand how little they had.

The light-bulb moment came in 2009 when she was faced with the reality that in order to beat Cystic Fibrosis which was increasingly restricting her life, she needed a double lung transplant.

Instead of focusing on her own worsening condition, she set her heart on doing something for the children she met in Uganda. If she couldn't go to school anymore - she was determined they would.
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And so Charlene's Project was born
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2009

2010

2012

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Video 1
Charlene Comes Home
Having spent all her life in hospital, it was time for Charlene to head home with her temporary foster family...
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She didn't have family in the first year of life, and we wanted to be there for her at the end of her life
Janice Barr - Charlene's mum
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Going to Uganda and meeting children who also struggled with illness, or issues over rejection and abandonment opened Charlene's eyes, and changed her perspective on life.

Arriving back to Northern Ireland Charlene often thought about those she met while in Uganda, remembering their struggles and positive outlook. Like many who have visited such places before, Charlene wanted to do something to help.

Little did she realise just where this desire would lead.
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Video 2
Her early life
Settling into her new family brought its own challenges and rewards. Issues of identity and where she belonged plagued her, until a visit to Uganda in 2008.
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If I was born here, I wouldn't have survived...
Charlene Barr
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"I loved Uganda and saw how little the children had. I want to make it possible for some children there to get an education.

That way my WAITING for a double lung transplant will have made their life better.

Thanks to everyone who has, and is supporting me in accomplishing my dream."

"I loved Uganda and saw how little the children had. I want to make it possible for some children there to get an education.

That way my WAITING for a double lung transplant will have made their life better.

Thanks to everyone who has, and is supporting me in accomplishing my dream."

Charlene:
16 October 2010.
14 days before she passed away

Charlene:
16 October 2010.
14 days before she passed away

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Video 3
Her Legacy
Charlene fought a long battle with Cystic Fibrosis. On 31st October 2010, aged just 20 she died, but not before leaving the rest of us with one pretty huge challenge...
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Charlene's Project started in 2010 because a girl limited by so much refused to be defined by what she could not do.

One decade later Charlene's Project continues to work creating better futures for thousands of children around the world.

Please consider donating to keep this vital work going.
DONATE HERE NOW
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"She finished her race so well"

Dickie Barr

 

 

 

Support the work of Charlene's Project

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Charlene's Project, 35 Cottage Road, Lurgan, Northern Ireland BT679NB +44 77 0980 6418 info@charlenesproject.org