A TEENAGER from Chester is looking forward to braving life in one of the poorest countries in the world for three-and-a-half months.
Francesca Liuzza, 18, of Parkgate Road, is travelling to an orphanage near Kampala, Uganda.
Francesca will be travelling with her boyfriend Tom Connell in March and will be working at the Dorcas Children's Home for orphans aged from eight to 18.
Francesca said: 'We will helping the children with their homework and playing games with them but Sam Mutabaazi, the man who runs the orphanage, said the main thing that we can give the kids is love.
'We will also be helping to build an extension to the orphanage while we are there.'
Francesca, who is working for the Youth Federation in Cheshire, explained that she and Tom want to raise money so they can buy equipment for the orphanage while they are out there.
'They need lab equipment, used mobile phones, some sports equipment such as old footballs, stationery and clothing among other things,' she said.
'We have looked into the possibility of taking this over with us when we travel to Uganda, but for every kilo over our baggage allowance we go, it will cost us £27.
'So we are planning on trying to do some fundraising before we go, and buying the items in Uganda, which also has the benefit of boosting local trade.
'The exception to this is the mobile phones - so if anyone has any old mobiles, they would be welcome.'
Francesca explained that although she had no real fears about the trip she accepted it wouldn't be easy.
* Francesca will be travelling to Uganda on March 18 and anybody who wants to help can contact her on liuzzif@hotmail.com
