A STUDENT paediatric nurse has launched a fund-raising campaign to help an impoverished community in Tanzania.

Hadassah Wilson, 21, will be taking gifts and money to an orphanage in Arusha. She is also hoping to raise enough cash to build four houses for local people in the area, which has suffered badly from the AIDS epidemic.

Hadassah, from Rawdon, will be flying out to Tanzania in August to work at the orphanage for four weeks. She will give small gifts, such as children's clothes, as well as money for resources, such as beds and mattresses, which can be bought for as little as £3.

The student, who is taking her course at Huddersfield University, has paid for the trip herself, putting money from her 21st birthday towards the cost. She has also raised £600, which is more than enough to build one house, and is now hoping to raise enough to build three more by Christmas.

Hadassah volunteered to work in the orphanage as part of her paediatric nursing degree.

She said: "I am looking forward to providing love and care to children that most need it.

"My aim originally was to raise money to help fund my trip, however I have worked extremely hard and managed to fund the whole costs of the trip myself.

"I have done this so all donations can be made solely to the child orphanage and the local community – £550 can fund the building of a house in the rural area of Arusha, Tanzania. My aim is to fund the money for four houses by Christmas. I really think this is possible, and by small donations from my local community, friends and family, I really hope we can all help. I would really appreciate everyone's help."

Hadassah added: "I will be based in Arusha, located in a rural and urban Tanzanian community, where due to the high rate of HIV/AIDS and other illnesses, there are hundreds of children left orphaned or abandoned by their parents, as they are unable to provide for them. Children as young as three are left to raise and fend for themselves.

"I am going to be taking my knowledge and skills from my paediatric experience to these deprived orphanages, where I will help with the general running of the orphanage and also provide medical assistance to the children in need."

Visit http://www.youcaring.com/mission-trip-fundraiser/haddi-s-volunteer-trip-to-tanzania/278195 or youcaring.com/haddistriptotanzania to make a donation.