MONMOUTH-based charity Hands Around the World (HATW) has officially opened a new children’s residential centre in Benin, West Africa.

The centre is named Chez Papa Geoff in memory of Geoff Burnett, who passed away earlier this year. Geoff was a long-serving project co-ordinator for the HATW projects in Benin.

The centre will provide care and a safe home for vulnerable children from the area, enabling larger numbers of children to access education. Its completion marks the first time in six years that there are no on-going HATW building projects in Benin, with the focus now shifting to help the local Benin HATW representatives meet the running costs for themselves, becoming self sufficient. HATW has also provided training and agricultural equipment, including a tractor, to the area to help improve agricultural techniques and soil fertility.

Dr David Steiner, Executive Officer of HATW said: “Chez Papa Geoff will make a huge difference to a number of children in the area, especially those that are vulnerable, particularly orphans and those with disabilities.

“Volunteers went out in September, and officially opened the centre on their last day in early October. Through November they’re processing who will attend, but we expect around 24 children in the first quarter, all of them seriously in need.”

For more information on the projects, and to volunteer, visit the website at www.hatw.org.uk

To donate towards the HATW cause in Benin, visit the fundraising page at www.globalgiving.co.uk/

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