The widow of murdered missionary Colin Lee is backing a charity appeal to help African children.

The organisation World Vision will be at the Washington Mall in Hamilton from 10.30 a.m to 3 p.m. today encouraging passers-by to sponsor a Ugandan child for $35 a month.

Mr. Lee was gunned down by members of the Lord?s Resistance Army in Sudan last November in front of his pregnant Paraguayan wife Hedwig.

Mrs. Lee believes his murderers were children kidnapped by the terrorist group in Uganda and forced to kill.

Susan Simmons, World Vision volunteer, said: ?I have been in contact with Colin?s widow, Hedwig, by e-mail. She?s still at home in Paraguay.

?Hedwig has sent me encouraging e-mails, that she is praying for this campaign to succeed and that many Ugandan children will be sponsored by Bermudians.?

Mrs. Simmons said residents could make a ?tangible response? to Mr. Lee?s death by helping a child in Uganda.

?The country of Uganda has been struggling in a brutal civil war where the terrorist rebel forces capture children and force them to be child soldiers against their will, committing unspeakable atrocities,? she said.

?This is the rebel army believed to be the murderers of our own Bermudian missionary, Colin Lee. In the spirit of reconciliation and doing good to those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Bermudians can take the opportunity to make a tangible response to Colin?s tragic death by choosing a Ugandan child to sponsor. In this way, we fight war by working to create peace.?

Individuals and groups can sponsor a child. Those who do will receive letters and updates from the youngster and may send items such as school supplies.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a child can sign up at the stall today or contact World Vision at Reid House, 31 Church Street, Hamilton, telephone 296-2392.