MONMOUTH charity Hands Around the Word (HATW) helps more than 2500 needy children across the globe each day.

Its dedicated volunteers often journey to the partner centres where supporters’ money is being used to make a vast difference to the lives of young people. This week, the Beacon heard from joint founder of the charity, Lynda Steiner, about her recent trip to Zambia.

She said: “At the beginning of this year I spent a few weeks as a Hands Around The World volunteer, visiting Pizz School, a centre in Monze, Zambia where orphaned and vulnerable children are fed, educated and cared for. This centre operates on a ’hand to mouth’ basis, offering a chance of a better life to the children in its care.

“Hands Around The World helps where it can, providing funds to help keep the school running and operating a Lunch Box Scheme to enable people to contribute to the cost of a very basic daily meal for every child. The children are happy in the school and really appreciate all they have, but it isn’t much. The school has very few books, little in the way of equipment and the children have minimal clothing, often no shoes. I thought I might be able to gather together a few items which would help them, and find a way to get them out to Zambia, and so set about this task on my return to the UK.

“I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Monmouthshire and beyond; so many people sorted through cupboards and wardrobes, giving away things they could manage without. Schools changing their uniforms, including Monmouth Comprehensive, gave us their old uniforms, the boys from Monmouth Boys School donated outgrown football boots. Books and toys arrived, together with knitting yarn, sewing kits and hand sewing machines. Oaklands storage in Whitchurch gave us the use of a unit to store and pack, a small army of volunteers came to box, bag and label everything. Two young men drove a van (hired at reduced cost from Milbury in Monmouth) to Folkestone where the items were loaded on to an ’Operation Sunshine’ container. Then came the long wait whilst the journey was made across the sea to Dar es Salaam, then by container lorry to Lusaka and on to Monze.

“On 14th November the goods arrived.

“I cannot begin to describe the joy that has been brought into the lives of the children, teachers and local volunteers at the school. I have had photographs of smiling children in new clothes and sports kits and a video of a pupil thanking everyone for their love and support. To his gratitude I can only add my own very deep and sincere thanks. What began as a hopeful dream is now a reality. The task of changing the world can seem dauntingly impossible, but for the children of Pizz School their world is changing. All of you who helped (including The Beacon who publicised the request for goods) are doing your bit to spread some love.

If you would like to do even more, please consider sponsoring a child or contributing to the Lunch Box Scheme. Visit www.hatw.org.uk , Facebook or call in to 24 Church Street for more information.”