A MARKET town in mid Wales has created ever closer bonds between Wales and a small rural village in the hills beneath Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Volunteers from HAZINA, a Machynlleth-based charity, have just returned from an action-packed visit to Tanzania. Marit Olsson and Angela Edwards have been working with HAZINA’s children’s rehabilitation project in Bangalala.

Marit and Olsson were on their way to Bangalala when they received some wonderful news which would enable them to help the area’s youngsters even more.

“We were really excited to have a call as we arrived at the train station to travel to the airport,” Marit explained. “HAZINA had been given a further £2,000 towards developing and making our project sustainable.”

With funding from Hyb Cymru Africa and the Ceniarth Foundation, HAZINA has trained two nurses, Gladness and Josephat, to work with disabled children in the area.

Angela, a retired physiotherapist from Machynlleth, went out with the nurses on the back of motorbike taxis, on rough tracks through the bush to visit children in their homes.

Life is very basic in this part of Tanzania and many families struggle to grow enough crops to feed their families. Water is also a real problem.

“Children with disabilities often have a very poor start in life and any help we can give them is vital to their survival.” Angela said.

“The nurses are doing a good job in supporting these children and are always welcomed by the families. They can provide special seating and standing equipment for the children and are giving advice on feeding to help their nutrition.”

If you are interested in supporting HAZINA or becoming involved, go to www.hazina.org.uk or email [email protected]

Read the full story in this week’s Cambrian News