Features and Review

Q. What do you do with 764 filled pencil cases?

A. Send them to Zambia.

Local Brixham man, Colin Westlake, went with his family last year to Zambia, and then volunteered this summer to run the 5 UK voluntary teams for Mission Direct, to complete 3 schools for 500 orphans in the capital city of Lusaka. The 3 schools are Kiine Garden, Garden Hill and Crown of Life, which are due to open this September.

Meanwhile his wife Judith asked schools and children in Brixham if they would donate their pencil cases, pens, colouring crayons etc at the end of their summer term to give to a Zambian orphan, so that they might embark on their studies with a precious container of equipment.

Judith Westlake said,”The children came through with great enthusiasm and a massive 764 pencil cases are going to Zambia on Saturday 3 rd September, curtsey of BA.”

Local businesses, having heard of the children's support, generously donated to a desk appeal. This was the final challenge, to complete the project. Customers in the shops also stopped and gave on hearing about the need for desks and some local churches were moved to raise funds.

Judith said, “Some schools, businesses and churches have done more than they've been asked to and I've been so touched by the enthusiasm of people wanting to help. It is not only helping one generation of Zambian children but blessing many more to come.”

It really is a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the desk appeal as the desks cost in the region of £70, due to the quality of the steel, allowing them to be built to last for 10s of years and with seats for two pupils.

Judith says, “Our target was 100 desks. We didn't quite reach that, but every desk is one more than they would have had. Time was limited so I didn't get round to all of the businesses, so if anyone would like to contribute a desk or a bit of money towards a desk, they can still go to www.missiondirect.org and in the notes box when giving the gift please put westlake-zambia. With Mission Direct every penny goes to the project donated to.”

Judith is very grateful that the appeal was supported by the following: ACE Taxis, Bait & Tackle, Brixham Fish & Chip Restaurant, Brixham News.com , BT Thomas Shop Fitting, Charlie's Gallery, Churchills, Compass House, Fairwinds Guest House, Hairlines, Hill House, Huckleberrys, Kaba Kaboo, John Fowler Holiday Park, Laywell House, L J Boyce, Lytehouse Coffee & Wine Tapas Bar, Lemon Tree Cafe, Lemon Heaven Cafe, Nicky Stevenson Gallery, Popes the Electrical People, Primrose Properties, Strand Art Gallery, Sainsburys, Simply Fish, Staples, The Bay Coffee Company, The Breakwater Bistro.