A princess and a missionary are calling on the people of Bermuda to help in the reconstruction of a war-torn African nation.

Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and missionary Florence Roumestan both told The Royal Gazette they believe the pioneering medical work of a Bermuda charity could herald a new bond between the Island and Burundi.

Princess Katarina, the great-niece of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is the VIP guest at this weekend's Project Change gala benefit. This evening, French-Canadian missionary Mrs. Roumestan will also address the charity's 'Passport to Paradise' Gala Ball.

Both women were inspired to support Project Change Bermuda through the work of its founder, reconstructive surgeon Dr. Christopher Johnson.

In May and November of this year he is to head up two missions to the east African nation to carry out reconstructive surgery on children, train up local medical staff, and kit out two operating rooms in the capital of Bujumbura.

Project Change is one of the first western charities to assist Burundi, which is slowly recovering from a 12-year civil war. Princess Katarina and Mrs. Roumestan said they hoped the charity's mission would encourage other Bermudians to get involved.

They said not only could medical experts make a difference, but the Island's wealth of talent in construction and tourism could also help the African nation.

"What I think would be quite important is getting the skilled people here to go over there to help the local people build their own hospital," said Princess Katarina.

Encouraging people to attend this weekend's gala events, she said: "It's very important that we get as much help as possible, and also that people in Bermuda know what Dr. Johnson is doing.

"Every little bit of support will be enormously helpful."

The princess said: "I became involved with Project Change because I like to see good works done, particularly with children, and most of my charity works are with children. The work Dr. Johnson is doing will hopefully give the children more confidence in themselves and their families."

Princess Katarina lives in Surrey with her husband Sir Desmond DeSilva and her 17-year-old daughter Victoria. She is also involved in the charities, St. John Ambulance and Birthright.

As one of the descendants of Queen Victoria, it was fitting that her host hotel is the Fairmont Hamilton Princess so named in honour of Queen Victoria's daughter, the Princess Louise.Mrs. Roumestan, a missionary from Montreal, has worked in the Great Lakes region of Africa for the past eight years with her husband Denis. Both are part of the missionary foundation Justice and Equity, and are also lawyers.

"What Project Change is doing is very important as it is bringing medical teams to share their knowledge and to upgrade the operating rooms," she said. "At the same time they will bring hope. I feel this is the beginning of an international recognition of Burundi. This is the moment for Bermuda to start a medical collaboration with Africa. Burundi has no one else."

Mrs. Roumestan urged Bermudians to attend this weekend's gala events and performances. "It is very important for people to give money, and how they can help is by first participating in these beautiful events and shows," she said.

"We can also start to influence the Government of Bermuda to forge a medical collaboration with Burundi. It could be a beautiful exchange. Bermuda is a blessed country so it would be wonderful if it could share its blessings to help this country recover from war with unity.

"The youth of Bermuda need to travel to meet the youth of Burundi, to appreciate what they have. It could be very educational for everybody.

"And Bermudians could really help Burundi to develop its medicine, public health and tourism."

Mrs. Roumestan and her husband originally started working in Rwanda in 2001 to help the country recover from the genocide. They first travelled to Burundi in 2002.

"Rwanda was recovering from the genocide but Burundi was still at war," she said. "We felt in our hearts that we had to speak to the churches, to do something. We tried to get the churches more involved in the peace process. After 15 years of civil war, last year the last rebel group finally signed the peace process. Everything was destroyed, but these people are very resilient and courageous."

Singer Melky Jean, the sister of Wyclef Jean, also encouraged Bermudians to come out and support Project Change. Ms Jean will be performing at the Gala Ball this evening (Saturday) at the Hamilton Princess.

"I grew up in a Christian home and always grew up knowing it is important to give back," she said. "So when I heard about what Princess Katarina was doing and they asked me to be a part of it, I said 'absolutely'."

There are still tickets available for this weekend's events.

To purchase tickets, contact International Plastic Surgery Associates on 292-2000 or log onto: www.express.bm.

Tickets are also available from the City Hall Box Office between 11.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. or the second floor of the Hamilton Princess. Contact 535-7682 or e-mail info@projectchangebermuda.org or visit www.projectchangebermuda.org for more information.