Young people from Codsall are setting off for Africa in October 2006 with aid for some of the poorest areas of the world.
 | | Specsavers to life savers |
The group of 18 teenagers raised £4,000 for the trip - £2000 of which goes straight to the Zomba, Malawi fund - organised through Codsall Community High School and the Harvest Youth Development Project which works with Heath Town's New Testament Church. Organiser David Perrin, one of five adults in the travelling party, said the fortnight's venture, Oct 18-Nov 1, was crucial to the African children's survival aswell as proving helpful for the Codsall party's education. "I would go so far as to say we will be saving lives when we get to Zomba in Malawi," he said. "When you think we will be taking vital foodstuffs like maize, rice and salt to kids living in the sixth poorest country in the world, it really is a life-saving project."
 | | This computer's for Zomba |
On top of taking the donations collected - everything from babies clothes to spectacles - the visit marks the latest milestone in Perrin's ambitious plans for a development that would change tens of thousands of lives permanently. His dream is to help fund and develop a scheme to include living areas, restaurants and accommodation for children and their carers or volunteers living in a country wracked by AIDS and poverty. "I see this as a ten-year, three-stage plan," he said, "now that we've got the land we need for the orphanage we aim to build in partnership with local school Likangala Secondary School."
 | | OK then, I will stand on the lid |
David's visits to the African country, where he met his wife Patricia in the late 1990s, provided the impetus for the charity runs which will see school equipment, old computers and clothes for orphaned children delivered. There's also a double celebration on October 20th when Monique Stewart, who'll be 18, and Lianne Chambers, due to turn 16, both enjoy birthdays abroad. "I'm looking forward to it after going on a previous trip to Ghana," said Monique. "I couldn't believe how happy, how delighted everyone was with the gifts and everything we brought, it was a real eye-opener." 15 year old Ceri Lovell agreed she could hardly wait to make the trip.
 | | Malawi style children's clothes |
"Words can't really explain what I'm thinking," she said. "I'm just excited and nervous and proud too to be going out there." The 2006 trip has been part-funded by Wolverhampton's Youth Bank scheme and Codsall Head teacher Marjorie Tunnicliffe agreed it reflected great credit on everyone involved. "It's excellent for developing citizenship in several ways," she said. "It's making good citizens by helping the young people to look beyond themselves socially, politically and in community terms too." The full travelling party is: David Perrin, Adrian Gray, Danielle Duchene, Lorraine Esson, Semone Myrie (adults); Nathan Hutchinson, Alex Perrin, Kristan Ebanks-Perrin, Ashley Esson, Monique Stewart, Brian Garni, Laura Bray, Samantha Castle, Lianne Chambers, Jorden Collins, Chloe Linforth, Ceri Lovell, Jessica Lovett, Adam Plummer, Stacy Robinson, Eve Ryan, Kim Sandhu, Raychel Smith. | 
