THOUSANDS of miles away from her County Durham home, a young teacher is inspiring a family campaign to help her young students.

Sarah Armstrong is spending two years with Voluntary Service Overseas, teaching English to children in Rwanda.

She describes her African adventure in entertaining letters to her parents, Carol and John, at home in Etherley Grange, near Bishop Auckland.

As Rwanda recovers from civil war, 23-year-old Sarah's pupils are eager to learn. But they are hampered by chaotic organisation and shortage of basic materials, including pens and pencils.

Mrs Armstrong said: "She started off by asking us to find penfriends for the other teachers, but I am sure there is more we can do.

"When you hear of a class of 40 children sharing one pen you feel you want to help.

"The letters are a mixture of hope for a people who have lived through hell with the genocide, and they should make anyone who reads them realise just what we have here.

"She has a way of describing life and the people there so that you get a real insight and feeling for them."

Anyone who would like to help Sarah's pupils can contact Mr and Mrs Armstrong at 141 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, telephone (01388) 661155.