On November 6 I am flying to the Gambia, which I am told is virtually a Third World country with children begging.

I telephoned the Gambian Tourist Office and it said that the children liked lettuce, cabbage and tomato seeds to plant.

They either take them home or sell them for their schools. I have already bought 200 coloured pencils and apparently they do not want soft toys.

If any readers wish to donate seeds, they can send them to me at the address below.

Rather than doing all the "tourist" things, I am hoping to visit a school, hospital and their Parliament but the latter may not be allowed.

It is 85 per cent Islamic with religious freedom without Sharia Law.

In neighbouring West African countries, members of Amnesty International, of which I am one, have been imprisoned and tortured.

-Carole Irvine, 1 St Martins Flats, Upper Wellington Road, Brighton BN2 3AN, Tel 01273 625939