Great scenes at the RNZYS picnic

From left, Jo Blackman, Emma Outteridge, Nathan Outteridge and Ross Blackman.

A philanthropic bridging of two worlds

Story and picture by Debra Douglas

Not only was it a book launch, but also a celebration of adventure and altruism when more than 150 family and friends gathered at the Squadron to mark the publication of author Emma Outteridge’s true story, Between Two Worlds.

Emma has led the life of a wanderer. She was born while her parents, Jo and Ross Blackman, sailed the Pacific. Ross become business manager for Team New Zealand and Emma spent much of her young life travelling the world of the America’s Cup. In her twenties she worked on high-end international sporting and hospitality events with Louis Vuitton.

While the glamorous life mingling with celebrity sailors and billionaire backers had its charms, Emma longed for something more. In 2009, aged 25, she moved to St Paul KAASO, a primary school for orphans in Uganda, naively intent on giving back and ‘saving the world’. This was the start of a love affair.

While at KAASO, Emma was asked by a young student whether she might sponsor the rest of his education. Initially hesitant to make such a commitment, Emma would go on to not only to take up the sponsorship, but she also founded the Kiwi Sponsorships programme, funding the secondary education of more than 70 children in Uganda. Emma also established the Suubi Sanyu fund, a student micro-loan fund and is the Volunteer Coordinator for KAASO, sending volunteers from around the world to the school each year.

Through her work with international events, Emma built up a fellowship with influential and wealthy individuals. Over the years many of these people have become ardent supporters of her cause.

Spanning a decade Between Two Worlds chronicles Emma’s journey from wide-eyed volunteer to someone whose life has meant marrying the world of elite sailing with a rural East African village. And as she said at the end of the launch presentation, it is “a story that had to be told.”

Emma is now living in Devonport with her husband, America’s Cup skipper and helmsman Nathan Outteridge (Artemis Racing 2013 & 2017) and their two young sons.