A STUDENT paediatric nurse has mounted a fundraising 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 people in the area which has suffered badly from AIDS.

Hadassah, of Rawdon, will be flying out to Tanzania later this month 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 houses by Christmas.

Hadassah, who found out about the orphanage through the International Volunteer HQ, said: "I am looking forward to it and I think it will be something very worthwhile."

She added: "I am staying in Arusha where there is a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS - that is why the children have been left by themselves.

"Three-year-olds are literally raising themselves because they have not got any family."

She has set up a fundraising page at youcaring.com on which she says: "My aim originally was to raise money to help fund my trip, however I have 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 am asking for small donations and would really really appreciate everyone's help.

"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.

"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.

"Although I am raising money for the houses to be built I will also treasure this experience for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to providing love and care to children that most need it."

Donations can also be made at youcaring.com/haddistriptotanzania