A TEAM of volunteers and students working with Okehampton charity The House of Rachel are hoping to improve the lives of some of the most deprived children in Europe when they head off to a Bulgarian orphanage tomorrow (Friday).

The team, made up of Okehampton College sixth formers, teachers Dr Milburn and Mr Sproates, charity founder Andrew Morgan, his daughter Cerys and local volunteer Demelza Sampson, will spend a week at the orphanage in the remote village of Barzitsa. It is home to around 80 children between 4 and 18 years old.

While in Bulgaria, the team will run workshops in sports, crafts and music to boost the children's self-esteem and confidence.

The summer months are when the children will not be at school, and are most vulnerable to getting involved with criminal gangs. These workshops are a fun way to develop new skills and prevent the children from becoming involved with crime.

Demelza Sampson knows the difficulties facing the team: 'Those kids will have been through such traumas in their short lives and staffing levels are pitifully low at the orphanage so they get very little love and attention.

'I think it will be a bit of an emotional roller coaster, challenging and with temperatures likely to be well over 30 degrees, it's going to be physically demanding too.'

Demelza runs her own face-painting business, and hopes the Bulgarian children enjoy her work: 'I am planning on taking some of my face painting kit, so it will be interesting to see what the children make of that.'

After a successful visit last summer, this is the second year that Okehampton College have run the trip.

Andrew Morgan is delighted with the students' involvement: 'The children and staff are deeply moved that we are prepared to travel the breadth of Europe to spend time playing with the children.

'It is impossible to put into words the value of the time we spend together and whilst it is intended as an act of giving, we gain so much more in return.'

Previous projects have also included local businesses and trades people visiting Bulgaria to replace dilapidated windows, and deliver a new mini-bus and car.

As a direct result of the charity's work, the Bulgarian Government has taken notice of the poor provision for the country's orphans and agreed to take over funding and completion of one of the House of Rachel renovation projects.

None of this vital work could take place without the generous support of local people and businesses.

If you would like to know more about the trip or you would like to donate to the charity visit http://www.houseofrachel.org">www.houseofrachel.org or contact Tracy Milburn at Okehampton College.