Sir,
I would request the opportunity to utilise your 'Letters' column to thank the staff at the Upper Crust Restaurant in Tenby for both advertising and collecting used buttons. The first package has now been sent to missionaries in Hong Kong.
The Buttons Appeal was instigated as an idea to try and help a group of young women in Cambodia. The Hope House Education and Skills Training Centre in Cambodia provides opportunities for girls to be trained by national staff with skills such as sewing and hairdressing; many have found employment in and around their local villages or have set up small businesses in nearby communities.
The missionaries that established and support this training centre are always on the lookout for new ideas for these girls. Without employment opportunities, girls are sold by their very poor families into slavery.
Used buttons can be utilised, for example, to make simple jewellery, or decoration for clothing, bags and purses.
I am also delighted that Saundersfoot Primary School has also agreed to collect buttons and the Upper Crust Restaurant remains open as a collection point.
Gwenda E. Innes,
Bethesda Evangelical Church,
Laverock Rise,
Pentlepoir.