Hello all,

As some of you may know, I've recently returned from Pilgrimage to The Holy Land - a very moving trip!

Many things spoke to me on the Pilgrimage, but one in particular. We visited an orphanage in Bethlehem, run by nuns. I'm very sad to tell you that around 80% of these babies and children (up to age 6) are the result of the mother having being raped. Some of them being a child (under 18) themselves.

The mothers are medically induced at 7 months of pregnancy, in an attempt to hide their bump. Some of the rapes are from within their own family and there is a risk of the girls being killed if people find out they are pregnant outside of marriage. The mothers are sent home the day after giving birth - back to the same environment.

Rape is a heinous crime that is hard to get over and impossible to forget but the mothers are not the only victims, these babies are too.

I can't remember the last time I felt so angry, hearing about the circumstances that lead to these children being in an orphanage, but as soon as I saw them that hate turned to love and joy.

I thank the nuns that run the orphanage but I am compelled to help raise money for essential care equipment for the children and support for the mothers but this can't happen without your help.

I thank you in advance for any donation you feel you may be able to give to help these babies and mothers.

Chessie