AN event is being held to highlight fundraising work in a poverty stricken African country.

Sister Yvonne Mwalula Mwila will travel 7,500 miles from in Zambia to Middlesbrough to share her experiences of helping vulnerable communities in her hometown.

Yvonne is a partner of CAFOD, the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, who work on a range of projects in Zambia including helping to set up a community school and providing support for disabled children.

It is estimated that over half of Zambians live in poverty, meaning that many families do not have enough money to meet basic needs such as food, housing and clothing.

Yvonne said she was inspired by seeing the work carried out in her home town, and wanted to help out herself.

“They opened my eyes to the greatest poverty, sicknesses - including during the highlight of the HIV Pandemic - and just the great suffering that was very near to where I lived” she said.

“Changing lives and providing small windows of opportunities for children with disabilities have been my greatest passion” she added.

Carol Cross, CAFOD’s Middlesbrough representative, said: “Lots of people in Middlesbrough have fundraised for CAFOD and it’s great to hear about some of the work their generosity has made possible.

The free event will be held in the main hall at St Mary’s Cathedral in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough on Thursday, February 16 at 7pm.

For more details, contact Carol Cross on 01642 822301.