SIR,

I have recently returned from Benin in West Africa and can give an update on work being done there by local charity Hands Around The World.

Last Summer, as reported in the Beacon, we sent a container with numerous donated bicycles to be used by orphan children, plus a tractor and plough.

My first evening in Affame, Benin, I was cheerfully greeted by Honore (one of the orphans sponsored by HATW) dashing along on his red bicycle.

The Dogba school building project which has been on going for several years, is now finished and in use (see photo).

The tractor and plough is being put to good use by an ever increasing number of local farmers. This has already made a big improvement in that crop residues can be ploughed in instead of burnt. This increases the organic matter and improves soil fertility.

The next project is to build a residential centre for orphans and handicapped children. The funding for this is already in place and we are hoping to take a group of volunteers to help with construction in February 2014.

Anyone interested in helping would be most welcome to apply to Hands Around The World at http://www.hatw.org.uk">www.hatw.org.uk or call 01600740317.

Dick Wheelock

(Monmouth)