FOUR men from RAF Lyneham have set off for Kenya in a Hercules to install a new dental surgery in a slum district of Nairobi.

And later this year they plan to finish building a school in the same district that will give mentally handicapped children, normally hidden away from society, the chance of an education.

The aim of their project, called Albert after the Hercules aircraft's nick-name 'Fat Albert,' is to alleviate suffering and improve the lives of children living in the slum districts surrounding the city.

The team, led by Chief Technician Eddie Brophy, comprises Captain Steve Harvey and Sergeants Barrie Norman and Kevin High, all from the station's 47/70 Engineering Squad-ron. Their colleague, Simon Clarke, said: "The objective of this particular trip is to install a complete dental surgery into a newly built clinic in a major slum district called Dandora.

"The dental equipment was kindly donated by the NHS when it became redundant after a complete refurbishment was carried out to one of its surgeries."

Chf Tech Brophy approached the Africa Exchange Organisation (AEO), headed by an American based Baptist church which carries out relief work in Nairobi, to identify where this equipment could be put to best use and it offered a building that was available in the grounds of a newly built clinic in Dandora.

The AEO will fund both the medical staff and those specialists required to provide a dramatically enhanced level of dental care for children and adults in the area.

The team, who will return to Lyneham next week, are already planning their next trip, where they will finish building a school before someone steals the land and sells it.

Chf Tech Brophy explained: "As in many cultures, the parents of children afflicted with mental ailments are, sadly, ashamed of them.''

In 1983, the Nairobi Council secured a plot of land in Kibera, on which it was intended to construct a permanent, school complex.

"Plans were produced and construction began, however, it was halted shortly afterwards when funds were no longer available," he said.

"Unfortunately, the future of the school is now in doubt because, since funds dried up, the people of Kibera fear that the 'grabbers', a group of people who steal land for profit, will eventually take this plot as their own, should it lie neglected for too long."

Project Albert 2002/3 will aim to safeguard the school by completing it with a project team of 18 to 20 service personnel, mainly from Lyneham.

The initial estimate for the funds required is in the region of £25,000 to £30,000.

To find out how you can make a donation to Project Albert, visit www.camlann.fsnet.co.uk/PAlbert or send an email to mail@ebrophy.fsnet.co.uk