In November this year, I will be one of a group of 16 people from the UK who are travelling to the remote village of Turkey (near Polokwane) in South Africa to help build a creche and drop-in centre for vulnerable children.

In this region of South Africa, 57% of children under the age of 18 have experienced some form of violence - mostly sexual - in the last 12 months. In that area, parents work all day, but the children only attend nursery and pre-school until lunchtime, leaving them vulnerable to horrific abuse in the afternoons. Incredibly, this abuse usually comes from someone they know. The creche and drop-in centre we are helping to build will provide somewhere safe for the children to go until their parents can collect them. They also get fed, and for some of them it's the only hot meal they get each day.

The project is co-ordinated by international charity World Vision, who have already built 42 schools, 24 creches, and 24 drop-in centres in the Tsusalushaka province. They work closely with the local people as well as overseas volunteers to ensure the projects they fund are of lasting value to the African communities.

I am covering all the expenses for the trip myself (flights, accommodation etc), so every penny you give will directly support the project in South Africa.

I'd really appreciate anything that you can spare.
Thanks!
Joe