Zambian orphans will soon receive a container packed with urgently needed supplies donated by Bermudians thanks to Bermuda-based Gitte Kristiansen.

The container is due to leave Bermuda today and will take about two-and-a-half months to arrive in the African nation.

Ms Kristiansen travelled to the country, one of the poorest in the world, in 2003 to visit her husband's parents who run a farm there.

"A four-year-old Zambian boy died in my arms," said the mother-of-two, when asked what prompted her to take on the task of organising the shipment of clothes, shoes, food and other necessities donated to help the orphans, many of whom have lost their parents to Aids.

Ms Kristiansen's parents-in-law started a charity The Lifespring Foundation to help orphans near their farm when they realised that children around it had neither homes, food or access to schooling.

"Organising the shipment has been such a rewarding experience. I have received over 1,000 e-mails from people in Bermuda offering to help," said Ms Kristiansen.

All items must be catalogued and packed before shipping said Ms Kristiansen, who pointed to the mountains of labelled bags filling her home.

"Last night I had four girl friends here until midnight helping me pack."

Although the shipment is made up of items donated by the people of Bermuda, the transportation is paid for by The Genesis Foundation, a Bermuda-based charity set up by Ms Kristiansen and her husband Chris Kuchanny. Ms Kristiansen was also involved in a shipment of blankets sent to Zambia in June by students at the School House Nursery.

Each student attached a bow and a photograph of themselves to each blanket.

"My husband went to Zambia at the time and was overcome by the joy the children showed when receiving the decorated blankets, added Ms Kristiansen.

But today's shipment is not the end of Ms Kristiansen's commitment to Africa she is planning to organise a shipment to war-ravaged Congo in March.

"The most basic items are needed. Clothes, shoes, blankets and canned food. These people have had to flee their homes leaving all their belongings behind," she said.

Those interested in making donations can contact Ms Kristiansen by e-mail on gitte@osmiumcapital.com

To help Bermudians in need, Ms Kristiansen and her husband have also set up the charity Bermuda Cares.

The public can make donations and suggest families which may need support by contacting the charity by e-mail on info@bermudacares.com

Ms Kristiansen would like to thank all those who have made the Zambia shipment possible.

In particular: Winifred Daniels, Bubbles Fashions, Mr Simons, Charles and Lisa Lowney at Warwick Academy, Lorraine Adderley at Bermuda Yacht Club, Carlos Falcaro, Lindo's Food, Daisy and Mac, the School House Nursery, Dr Dena Butterfield Lister of Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, Maria Marsh, Shelley Fox, Nikki Riker and Katy Adams.