A Bermuda-based charity working to improve the lives of Ugandan orphans is calling for people to donate money during two tag days.

Restorers of Hope is seeking donations to help Ugandan children who have been orphaned by HIV and war.

Victoria Ellison, who works with the charity in Gulu, Uganda, said the charity had just completed its first children's home in Northern Uganda which is housing six children.

"We decided to start off small, but we're hoping to bring in more children soon," she said.

"Because there is such a desperate need, the children have been taught to lie. Even if they're already being supported by another charity, they will try to see if they can get into the home.

"We unfortunately need to go deep into the bush to know if the child is a genuine orphan.

Ms Ellison said the home was only one step in a much larger plan to help the community in the region.

"Our first project was to open a home for children orphaned by HIV and war. We hope to expand to helping and aiding widows and even open a school."

In addition to housing the children, the organisation is dedicated to providing food and education as well as helping children deal with their traumatic past.

Gulu was only recently freed from the control of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). Led by Joseph Kony, the LRA has been engaged in a war in an attempt to create a theocratic government.

It is estimated that the LRA has kidnapped around 30,000 children to be used as soldiers or sex slaves.

While the organisation is making an impact, Ms Ellison said that the need for assistance in the area was vast.

"The work is huge. We recently came across a village which had 250 child-headed homes," she said. "The vision is to have villages across Northern Uganda, each with 35 to 40 children. The need is absolutely vast. We just can't work fast enough."

She added: "Even the poor in Bermuda don't know what it's like. Some don't even have so much as a handful of rice. These children are begging to go to school, they're desperate for someone to love them.

"Your heart breaks. I can't even explain how it feels."

Currently there are three people working on the ground with the charity, with more expected to get involved before the end of the year.

Ms Ellison said she hoped Bermudians would be willing to reach into their hearts and make a donation to help the orphaned children of Gulu.

"Perhaps, as Christmas is a giving season, we could give to those who cannot give back. Look outside of just Bermuda. These children are suffering through no fault of their own.

"I hope that people reach into their hearts and perhaps deny themselves something small to help these children."

The Restorers of Hope tag day will take place on Friday (December 11) and Saturday (December 12).

On Wednesday, December 16, the organisation will be holding a social event at Daylesford Theatre between 5.30 p.m. and 7.30.p.m.

For more information, visit www.restorersofhope.org.