Norwich students are going to Zambia for the third time to help some of the poorest people in Africa.

Students from year 12, and staff from Notre Dame High School in Norwich are heading out to the country for 16 days.

Staff training and developing co-ordinator Louise Venn, 47, said: 'We send first year sixth form out there because then they can come back and spread the word about what we do to other students.'

Fundraising has come from a Harry Potter quiz night, Notre Dame's Got Talent and a school sponsored walk.

Mrs Venn said: 'We have lager donations from The Mason's Trust and Sir Phillip Reckitt Educational Trust and we get the odd cheque for �100 from student contacts.'

The school are supported by The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, an aid agency, who have been fighting poverty in developing countries for 50 years.

Ruth, 17, a sixth-from student wrote on the school's Zambia blog: 'Geoffrey, who actually lives in Lusaka, spoke to us about the economical side of Zambia, and gave us the shocking statistic that 62pc of the population live on no more than $1 each day.

'They introduced us to Nelson Mandela's quote about being a Great Generation. It was very inspiring.'

Students will be offering their own services and time while out there, helping to deliver medical supplies to people with HIV and AIDS as well as leaving money out there for the families in need.

Another issue that will be tackled is Foot Root, where the volunteering students will bring welly-boots with them to give the people of Zambia protection for their feet against the heavy rain.

While the school are away they are hoping to use internet caf�'s to update live pictures of the work they do on their own Zambia blog, http://www.notrezambia.co.uk/