Could you help them bring hope?

Since 1981, Christian charity the Basotho Educational Trust has been supporting impoverished students in Lesotho through vocational education such as computing, electronics, motor mechanics, tailoring and bricklaying.

Over 1,000 men and women have been helped in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho in Southern Africa.

A spokeperson for the Trust said:

"Lesotho is a small country approximately the size of Wales. It suffers extreme poverty and has been badly affected by HIV and AIDs. It has the second-highest rate of HIV in the world.

"As such, many of the students we support are AIDS orphans, often caring for siblings as well. Usually the students go on to set up their own small businesses, although some work for the few large employers such as the Highland Water Authority.

"The charity raises money in the UK to support its work in Lesotho, mainly through individuals and churches. There is a Lesotho committee which works with the support of the Community of the Holy Name, once based in Malvern and the Lesotho committee receives applications and makes decisions on whom to support.

"Members visit the relevant vocational schools throughout the year and advise the UK trustees on how many students to support and where."

if your church is interested in supporting The Basotho Educational Trust you can find out more at www.basothoeducationaltrust.org.