signed letter of thanks for a donation sent to her Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India.

The money, totalling $137, was collected by children at L'Ecole Summer Camp, after they listened to Mrs. Lucy Willitts describing the hardships she encountered when she worked as a volunteer with Mother Teresa earlier this year.

"I was telling them that I only had two towels to dry 50 patients, and they reacted immediately,'' says Mrs. Willitts.

The four to 12-year olds embarked on a fund-raising scheme, with parents and friends being asked to guess how many jelly beans in a jar, and the making of a lollipop tree.

When the money had been collected, they sent it off to Mother Teresa, specifically asking her to use the money to buy more towels. A few weeks ago, a letter arrived, thanking the children for their gift.

"It's very unusual to get a reply, let alone one signed by Mother Teresa,'' says Mrs. Willitts, who emphasises that all of the charity's resources are used to benefit the poor, rather than spending money on such things on postage.

Her reply, dated October 20, reads: "Dear Friends at L'Ecole Summer Camp, God love you for the love you give and the joy you share through your very thoughtful gift for His poor.

Keep the joy of being loved by Jesus ever burning in your heart as your strength and share it with others beginning at home, your neighbour, at school.

Never allow anybody to feel lonely, unwanted, unloved. My gratitude is my prayer for you.

GOD BLESS YOU (Signed) M Teresa MOTHER Teresa wrote her thanks to Bermuda children who raised money for her charitable order in Calcutta.