A YOUNG Burley-in-Wharfedale woman who travelled half way across the globe to help disabled children found an unusual reminder of home, writes Vivienne Francis.

Emma Trousdale, pictured right, was surprised to come across a printing press made in Otley housed in a museum, in Kimberly, South Africa.

The piece of Wharfedale history had been preserved as part of the heritage of the township, which sprung up alongside De Beers diamond mine.

Malcolm Trousdale, father of the 22-year-old, of Menston Old Lane, said Emma was stunned to find the press. He said: "It is a long, long way away. She was shocked to see it had come all the way from Otley, the next town to where she lives. It was quite a surprise to her. Like finding a little piece of home."

Emma, who plans to train as a teacher, is enjoying a six-month placement in South Africa, working at the Helen Bishop Home for Disabled Children.

She underwent a training programme before travelling to prepare her for working with disabled children in more primitive conditions.

Emma has produced a monthly newsletter to keep all her sponsors up to date with her trip. In the latest edition she tells how she is coming to terms with the daily struggles of the youngsters she is trying to help.....

"My first visit was a shock. Children were sliding around on the floor and there were no toys in sight.

"Last week I was working in the hospital ward where leg operations take place. There was no television, no radio, no-one to come and read to them and no crayons

"So I changed that. I donated a box of toys for the sole use of children in this room and a radio cassette player.

"Children are brought in from long

distances and are often abandoned at the gate by parents who can't afford to care for their special needs. Over half have either no or very little contact with their families.

"At first I helped the occupational

therapist teach handwriting to two very determined 10-year-olds, who both

suffered from TB as babies.

"Romeo has only one arm with no fingers, and only a stump for a thumb - yet he is determined to write, climb and be a typical mischievous child. It is hoped one day he will wear artificial legs.

"Now I am taking the whole group, shared with a special needs teacher.

"Each child has his or her own sad story but they all try to make the best out of life, always helping each other and never moaning about their condition, an attribute in each child, which can only be admired."

At the end of the newsletter Emma issued a thank you to all those who had sponsored her. She explained how their money was being spent to improve the lives of the children in the home.