A YOUNG Dorchester woman is urging the public to get behind a project she created to help those living in poverty in Peru.

Helen Osborn, 22, who is on a year abroad as part of her university degree, was given the opportunity to set up a project for the non-governmental organisation MySmallHelp in Tujillo, Peru.

The former Thomas Hardye student, who is now studying Hispanic and International Studies at the University of Aberdeen, set up the project in January in El Milgro, Peru, with five families who live in destitution.

Helen said all but one of the mothers she is working with is single and living on around £50 a month to provide for a family sometimes as large as 10.

She said: “This month we are hoping to help the women to earn an additional income to enable them to pay for their children’s education without handouts from MySmallHelp.

“In conjunction with another NGO project we are also helping disabled children and trying to improve their quality of life.

“But our project is in desperate need of funds to continue.”

Helen who is looking for one-off donations or monthly sponsors, said: “When I grew up I grew up with all the freedom and security every child should have.

“I had a brilliant education and have the chance to become any woman I wish to be in the future.

“The women and children who I work with have not had the same luxuries. For more information, contact Helen at helen.osborn@mysmallhelp.org or to donate visit justgiving.com/helen-osborn2/