Our appeal hopes to raise £25,000 to fund an infants' home in Mangochi, 150 miles north of the original Harrogate House orphanage which your generous donations helped build in 2004.

Christabel, a member of the Harrogate branch of Soroptimist International, became involved with Open Arms in 2004 when she raised £4,500 for the charity during her year as Soroptimist president.

After maintaining strong links with the project, she is now planning on further trips to the infants' home in April and October.

But before her trip to Africa, she is busy giving video presentations to community groups in a bid to maintain the momentum of the high-profile project.

Christabel, who filmed her trips to Malawi in 2004 and 2005, has spoken to several groups including Inner Wheel, Rotary, Women Institute, the York branch of the Soroptimists and the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrat Forum, as well as community groups such as schools and churches.

With more planned for throughout the year, Christabel said she enjoys promoting the work of the charity, which was established by Harrogate couple Neville and Rosemarie Bevis who gave up their jobs as teachers at Ashville College.

Christabel said: "I have always felt the need to leave an audience feeling that Open Arms is a happy, thriving place, with a forward-thinking attitude.

"While I know that many individuals have their own favourite charity, it is always good to hear about others. The groups have always welcomed the opportunity of seeing Open Arms at work and are amazed by the overall efficiency and cheerfulness of its environment."

The video takes an honest look around the Open Arms site, from the guarded front gates at the entrance to the complex to the chicken hut and nursery deeper inside.

It provides a human insight into the project where volunteers spoke candidly while bathing the babies and feeding the infants.

It also shows youngsters playing in a dusty garden and a small allotment where volunteers grow fruit and vegetables including cabbages, spinach, tomatos, grapefruits, eggplants and herbs.

Christabel has also recorded a story about Open Arms and Harrogate House for Talking Newspaper - an organisation which has been in Harrogate for many years and produces a tape at a recording studio at Ripley Castle which is then sent to blind and partially sighted people.

What is Open Arms?
Open Arms is a transition home for orphans. The charity cares for children who have lost their parents to AIDS, or who are unable to return to their original villages because of poverty, abuse or illness. Open Arms aims to return each child to it's existing community whenever possible.
The home is set on four hectares of land which contains a small farm supplied by two wells and a commercial poultry unit.
The daily 24 hour routine of bathing and feeding the babies is covered by 38 carers working in shifts with a cook and two housekeepers.
There is a steady stream of international volunteers who live in the volunteers' house for periods of up to three months.

How is Open Arms organised?
The original building accommodates 40 infants under two years of age. When the infants turn two, if they are still able to return to their original home, they move to Harrogate House.
Harrogate House was funded by £25,000 raised by harrogate residents in 2003. It is the home for 12 children between two and five years and is where nursery education is delivered by a qualified Malawian teacher.
From age five, children move to Rose's House - the first in a series of foster houses that have been purchased and are supported and administered by Open Arms.
Two foster parents and four five year olds from Harrogate House have become the first foster family at Rose's House.

How can I help?

For more information about Harrogate House and Open Arms, or to learn more about the history of the project, visit our website.

• To donate to Harrogate House 2 online, click here.

• Donations can also be made by cheque, payable to Open Arms Malawi. Donations can be sent to Harrogate House 2 Appeal, Spout House, Church Hill, North Rigton, LS17 0DB.