SIR,

Hands Around The World (HATW) is looking for another special volunteer to help us in our office in Dingestow.

HATW is a small local charity which helps vulnerable children around the world, in partnership with local people and communities. Many of the children are orphans of AIDS and very poor; most live in Africa.

At present we are specifically looking for someone with book keeping experience.

There will shortly be 30 million orphaned children in sub-Saharan Africa. That's more than the total number of all children under the age of 18 living in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Norway combined. In some countries such as Zambia this number is almost 10 per cent of the population.

Many of these children have lost their families to AIDS. The impact on these children is unimaginable; they will often be malnourished, living on the streets, with no access to education, no hope and worst of all no one to love and care for them.

We work with UK volunteers who are given comprehensive orientation by us, and offer their time and experience within the communities.

They not only bring practical skills, but give encouragement and are often a catalyst for change. For volunteers too it is a life-changing experience.

As one volunteer said: "I personally benefited hugely from my volunteering with HATW.

"I have learnt of a fascinating culture with a rich heritage, and have gained a deeper appreciation of the situations developing countries face. I have also been inspired by the determination and positivity of the people I have met."

HATW has accomplised amazing things over the past years, including building an orphanage and school in Ghana, creating support centres in Brazil, providing bereavement counsellor training in Kenya. and setting up a children sposorship program in Zambia.

I would like to appeal to anyone with relevant experience, with a few hours a week to spare and a willingness to help in our work, to get in touch with me on 01600 740317 or by email on [email protected]">[email protected]

More information about the charity can be found on our website hatw.org.uk

David Steiner

(Chief Executive,

Hands Around The World)