DOZENS of visually impaired people in Africa have been given a helping hand - all the way from Trafford.

A college, in the West African state of Burkina Faso struggles to help its blind students because of a lack of equipment.

But the college got in touch with Old Trafford-based Henshaws, and the charity for blind people was only too happy to help.

The college's leader, Mathieu Compaore, paid a visit to the UK and was so impressed with a braille machine that he was offered by Henshaws that he took out clothes from his suitcase and made room for the device.

More traditional methods of delivery were used to provide further educational aids and ideas. Those aids include braille machines for students, as well as a braille printer and a specialist computer containing software, which teachers can use to set written tasks for visually impaired students.

With Henshaws help with equipment, software and remote IT support the school was able to gain the knowledge to become self-sufficient. It can now produce its own curriculum documents saving time and money.

Henshaws also asked supporters to donate unused walking canes and Mr Compaore was able to take several back to Burkina Faso.

Mr Compaore said: "Through our relationship with Henshaws we have been able to support more people than ever.

"But more importantly rather than just providing us with physical things they have shared knowledge and technology with us that helps us to be self-sufficient.

"We know that Henshaws is available online to help whenever we need them. It is actually quicker for us to contact Manchester than it is to try and get support locally.

"Digital technology is really making the world a smaller place."

Henshaws' chief executive officer, Nick Marr, who led the project, said: "It is wonderful for Henshaws to be able to extend the arm of friendship to such a college overseas.

"While our funding is limited, the challenge we had was to come up with a way of supporting the sterling work Mathieu's team does by being resourceful.

"While the braille machines are not new technology here, they will be of great benefit in Burkina Faso.

"We suggested that the college could use an embosser to create its own braille documents, something Mathieu hadn't been aware was possible.

"He was so keen to benefit from our donations that he even left some of his clothes in the UK so he could make room in his case.

"Henshaws is hoping to help similar African and worldwide organisations, in the same way over the coming months."