Durrington couple's African dream

Lisa Rumbold first went to Ghana in February for two weeks to take donations of toys, stationery, basic medical supplies and football kits to under-privileged people in the African country, many of whom live in mud huts.

In September, she returned with her partner, David Matthew, to the projects in the Volta region of Ghana near the town of Ho.

Lisa, 31, who works for West Sussex County Council, said: "During my first visit, work was started on a new school and by the time I returned with David it was completed, so we donated wood and then put up shelves with local people in the school's library and organised the books.

"We feel really pleased we helped people in these villages to learn to read about the world and enjoy books.

"You have mixed emotions when a child is so pleased when they receive something as simple as a pencil, when most children here get so much.

"The people in Ghana are happy, but they do not have as many things as we do.

"We learned you do not need to be wealthy to be happy. Friends, family and community are more important."

Before the couple left for their trip, oganised by charity Ghana Outlook, they raised 500 at car boot sales by selling items they had been given by family and friends.

They also arranged a barbecue and asked people to bring items they could give to the Ghanaian villages, particularly stationery for the schools.

Lisa and David took four large bags of donations to Ghana, including 400 calculators, stickers, pencils, rubbers and football kits.

After spending two weeks' volunteering, the couple, who live in Tavy Road, spent their final week backpacking around the coast.

David, 39, who is a self-employed private hire car driver for A&A Taxis and Able Cars, said: "We stayed in a chalet on a little island that was surrounded by rocks and was beautiful.

"I popped the question and luckily Lisa said yes. It was the perfect setting."

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