Students plan mercy mission

STUDENTS from a Warrington college are planning a trip to Mozambique where they will help build orphanages for youngsters who have lost their parents to AIDS.
A group from Priestley College will travel to the South East African country with Habitat for Humanity next summer. They will have to go through a rigorous selection process and will each be funding their own place.
Figures show that Mozambique is one of the countries hardest hit by the disease with figures estimating that in sub-Saharan Africa alone there are currently 12 million children orphaned by the epidemic.
Priestley students are fundraising with ideas such as a buy a brick scheme, where the public are urged to pledge £5 towards the project.
Stefan McNally, from Habitat for Humanity, visited the college to talk about the work.
He said the building of orphanages helps keep the youngsters away from lives on the street.
Leader of the Priestley team Peter Butterfield said: “The Mozambique Challenge really is a major initiative that we are undertaking at the college. We have been overwhelmed by the amount of students who want to take part in the expedition, showing their commitment to wanting to make a difference in the world, whilst also enriching their own lives.
“Planning and fund raising is already going well, but we have a long way to go, so we would be delighted to hear from anyone in local business or private donors who feel they could contribute to such a worthwhile initiative.”
Pictured…staff and students from Priestley who are involved in the Mozambique Challenge are joined by Stefan McNally (back row, second from left).