Well done for getting this far. . . now for the tricky bit. Giving away the dosh.

Mark and Caroline Cook set up the charity in 1994 after a disturbing visit to an orphanage in Sarajevo. Mark had been in Bosnia as Commander of the British contingent of the UN security force in the early 90s and had seen first hand the devestating effect that war has on children. Subsequently described as the worst place in Sarajevo other than the morgue, the orphanage read like a horror story - 120 children living in filth, fear with no hope of a future.

It was out of these ashes that Hope and Homes for Children was born with an idea that in fact children do not need orphanages, they need families in which to grow, develop and flourish. This is made clear in their mission: To give hope to the poorest children in the world - those who are orphaned, abandoned or vulnerable - by enabling them to grow up within the love of a family and teh security of a home, so that they can fulfil their potential.

Since 1994 the charity has spread to 9 other countries, mainly in Eastern Europe and Africa. 

We hope to visit the Bosnia, Rwanda and South Africa outfits on our expedition South. Sudan might have to wait due to the political tensions in the country. 

This has given you a very brief glimpse at what they do. Look at www.hopeandhomes.org for more information.

Thanks for giving,

James and Polls