TEIGNMOUTH-based artist and author Laura Wall donated some of her popular Goose books to a school in Africa.

And they were delivered by a fellow artist, Emmanuel Alfred, who hails from Tanzania, and now lives in Teignmouth with his wife Tracey.

Her books were distributed to the school in the Mount Kilimanjaro region, after Emmanuel came into her gallery and told her about his school trips to Moshi, his home community.

Every time he goes back, which is a few times a year, he takes clothes and items the children and families in the local schools may need.

‘I was so taken by what he was doing, I gave him some of my signed Goose books to take out. When Emmanuel returned with this lovely photo [pictured], I was absolutely thrilled to hear how excited the children were when they received the books,’ said Laura who lives in Kingsteignton.

‘Emmanuel was telling me they are learning English, and as it is a second language, resources like my Goose books are really important for schools, especially as English books are hard to get hold of in these regions. He read the books to the children whilst he was there and they really enjoyed them.

‘As a business it is really important to donate to causes like this, as reading is so important for educational development. I feel I have a responsibility as an author to help children with reading, and so to be able to help underprivileged schools who are lacking the fundamental resources in Africa is wonderful.

‘To have them hand delivered by someone like Emmanuel is really heart warming, as you know they are personally going into the hands of eager children excited and wanting to learn.

‘I will be working with Emmanuel to see what else can be donated for his future trips. He is a very inspiring person and also an artist, in fact he has an exhibition inspired by his trips to Africa in Voyage Fair Trade at the moment until Sunday.’