It's been said that Bermudians are some of the most generous people in the world, and our willingness to give extends to charities both at home and abroad.

As a result, residents are often called upon to gather clothes, food, books, or medical supplies to help people in other parts of the world -- especially countries crippled by war, natural disasters, or poverty.

And instead of sending supplies, a number of Bermudians actually travel to the country to lend a helping hand.

But for those trying to organise donation drives, how do they ensure that the supplies actually get delivered to the people who need them? Donnelle Lynch and her husband Seewood are Bermudian Rastafarians who believe it was imperative to "come out of Babylon'', so they moved to Ethiopia almost a year and a half ago.

Mrs. Lynch said as members of the Ethiopian World Federation, they decided to help develop the area of Ethiopia called Shashamane by developing the land and collecting supplies.

With the help of Bermuda's residents, the couple shipped a container to Ethiopia around the same time they moved to the country.

Unfortunately, even some of the best intended plans go awry -- they've been unable to retrieve the container because of war conditions.

"On behalf of all the peoples of Shashamane, we would like to extend our gratitude for such a loving and caring effort with regards to the Bermuda-Ethiopia container,'' Mrs. Lynch said in a letter to The Royal Gazette "However, we regret to announce that after a year of trials and errors, we still have not gained control of our long awaited container due to the fact that Eritria and Ethiopia are at war.

"All containers that were due to come to Ethiopia at that particular time have been seized until things get settled between the two countries.'' Despite the delay, the couple is nevertheless working hard to help develop Shashamane: "So far, we have financed the building of three classrooms and bathroom facilities at one school, and helped another school build a library,'' said Mrs. Lynch.

"We are working toward opening a preschool in September 1999, and we pray for the continued support from our fellow friends.

"It is not sufficient to simply see and admire the natural beauty of Ethiopia.'' Bermuda Rastas on a mission in Ethiopia "It is our obligation to work and go forward -- and if each and every one endeavours to cooperate and work in as much as his capacity permits, we can achieve our goals.

" `Jah helps those who help themselves', however we feel that nowhere can the call for aid, for education of a people, hunger and basic human rights be refused. It is a universal principle or it isn't a principle at all''.

Mrs. Lynch said supplies or donations can be sent directly to her at the Ethiopian World Federation, c/o Donnelle Lynch, P.O. Box 495, Shashamane, Ethiopia.

"We ask that people include their names and addresses because I have to make sure they know what happens to their donations and what it's used for. I'm a Bermudian -- and if my name goes on it, it has to be done the right way,'' she added.

Lucy Willetts, spokesperson for the Medjugorje Peace Plan, said the group had been so successful with relief efforts because they've always had a reliable organisation on the other end to claim the goods.

"To date, we've sent 24 containers: 14 to Bosnia, three to Kosovo, one to the Azores, two to Jamaica, two to Haiti, one to Monserratt, and one to Honduras,'' she noted.

"And I think the reason for our success is our consignees -- the person on the other end who's responsible for claiming the containers off the dock, unloading, trucking and distributing is vital.

"It's important to secure a reputable relief agency who will go to the government with a bill of content (which gives them an itemised list of everything that's in the container) and a bill of laden.'' Mrs. Willetts said it's also important to find out whether there are items that the government of that country does not allow to be sent.

"When we sent goods to Jamaica, a huge relief agency called "Food for the Poor'' were our consignees,'' she noted.

"There were a list of things that couldn't be sent like cooking oil, and again it's important to have a good consignee so you find out ahead of time what can go and what can't.'' Although organisations like the Red Cross are in many parts of the world, finding a good consignee can sometimes be difficult -- and Mrs. Willetts suggested that it's essential to have someone in the country who can do some research to find a good relief agency.

"I've often been asked why we don't send money instead of containers. We do send some money, but putting together a container gives the whole community a chance to help.

"Some years ago, an elderly gentleman came and was so happy to be able to give us a box of rice, which was all he could do. Not everyone can give a monetary donation, but many people have clothes and food that they're happy to share,'' she added.

Helping Hand: Bermudian Donnelle Lynch is pictured helping to make a drink called sorrel in Shashamane, Ethiopia. She and her husband Seewood moved to Ethiopia more than a year ago to help develop the land.