School House Nursery students are learning about less fortunate children in Zambia and how to appreciate what they have.

Teacher Katie Adams is organising a container to be sent to an orphanage in Zambia which is supported by two Bermuda residents, Chris and Gitte Kuchanny.

The school has already sent a shipment of blankets to the orphanage, which also included a picture of each student attached to a blanket. As the items were well received, the school has decided to fill a container with much needed items.

Mrs. Adams said: "We have two former students whose parents have started an orphanage in Zambia.

"They are also in the process of building a school so we decided to send each of the students blankets. We took pictures of the children and attached them to each blanket so the Zambian children will know where each one came from."

She said the project will help the School House students better understand that there are children who are less fortunate than themselves and to appreciate giving to others without receiving something tangible in return.

"Our children are so fortunate and are really not in need of anything and this has taught them how to appreciate what they have," she said.

As the blankets were well received and they had a generous donation of items, they decided to fill a container to send to the orphanage and the school.

"We have been getting a lot of donations which is greatly appreciated, but now we have a container to fill and we are asking if any of the public would like to donate items to be sent over."

She said the orphanage cares for a range of ages – from infants to children as old as 16.

"Babies are abandoned outside the gate as the parents are hoping that the orphanage can give them a better life," she said. "I feel very passionate about this and I am hoping that the public can empathise with me and donate any warm clothing, blankets, toothbrushes, shoes as they are all in desperate need of everything. Adult clothing will also be appreciated as the staff are in need as well."

The school will be accepting donations between 8 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. throughout the week and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Currently there are 40 orphans enrolled in the project. They are fed a cooked meal once a day and a fruit breakfast in the morning. Mrs. Adams said: "This is the only meal that some of them will receive for the day."

The orphanage operates under the umbrella of The Lifespring Foundation, a UK-based Christian charity which delivers "opportunity, education, empowerment and hope to rural communities in Zambia and Kenya".

According to the teacher the charity gives security that the goods are sent where they are needed most. It will also provide School House Nursery with regular updates on the children and the organisers.

For more information on the Lifespring Foundation visit www.thelifespringfoundation .com or call Mrs. Adams on 236 2830.