Container full of help

A SHIPPING container filled with basic school and agricultural supplies will soon be on its way to Africa.
Chibobo Container Project founder Margaret Collette said the container would be collected on 21 May and would set sail a week later.
Students from Upwey High School and Upwey Primary School have collected basic items to send to the Zambian village of Chibobo.
An auction at the high school on 9 April raised more than $5000 for the project.
“The auction was a fantastic success,” Ms Collette said.
“The input of the students was crucial and it would not have been anywhere near the success it was if they hadn’t organised games and presentations,” she said.
Bell Real Estate’s Trevor Bell auctioned items donated from the local traders, including accommodation and dinners.
Members of the Upwey High School Student Representative Council (SRC) organised supper, games and lucky dips and sold dozens of torches that were donated.
Students Emma Wynne and Tim Whitelaw hosted proceedings while Emma Hall made a presentation about the problems facing many African families.
“The students have been fantastic,” Ms Collette said.
“Their involvement makes it so special.”
Ms Collette thanked Belgrave, Upwey and Tecoma traders for their donations to the auction.
“We now have the money to ship and transport the container to the village,” she said.
Next on the agenda is packing and painting the container.
Ms Collette said organisers were still looking for people to donate solar lighting, shovels, rakes, watering cans and other gardening tools, calculators and portable radios.
Anyone who wants to support the project can purchase a wrist band or a torch or buy a $1 raffle ticket.
First prize in the raffle is a hot air balloon ride including accommodation, dinner and breakfast at Chateau Yering.
Second prize is a dinner for two at Parliament House in Melbourne.
Anyone wanting to donate goods can contact the Mail on 9752 1611.