AN APPEAL to raise money to support a children’s home and a college in Madagascar has been launched by Llandudno’s Welsh United Church.

The appeal was kicked off with a special service at the church on Sunday March 17, and was marked with a frugal lunch of a bowl of soup and bread, which was organised by church members helped by members of the Sunday School. The appeal is part of a wider fund raising effort organized by the Welsh Independent Churches Union.

North Wales Pioneer: The launch of the Madagascar appealThe launch of the Madagascar appeal

Reverend Dylan Rhys Parry of Llandudno’s Welsh United Church said: “Madagascar suffers from extreme poverty and amongst the projects this appeal will support are the Topaza Children’s Home and Ivato College.”

Topaza children’s home stands on top of a hill in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, on the site of an old missionary building. The original building suffered substantial hurricane damage, five years ago and has had to be rebuilt.

Ivato College trains young men and women for the ministry. As well as studying the Bible and theology the students receive practical training in first aid, basic health care and legal knowledge, as they will often have to fulfil a variety of roles in their careers, especially in far-flung communities.