A brilliant idea and a surprise visit

Surprise visitors are always welcome! Today's - Emily Martens - was a breath of fresh air.  Emily, 21, is a student at the University of Connecticut, US. She has spent the past three months in London and has been volunteering at the Migrant Resource Centre (in nearby Pimlico. The MRC runs regular computer sessions here at NDRC...)

When working in the MRC creche, Emily noticed that lots of the dolls were blonde haired Barbies. And as many of the children were the children of migrants - from various ethnic backgrounds - they did not seem entirely appropriate. "So I sent out en email and people responded really well," she said. She raised several hundred pounds and tracked down some inexpensive - and appealing! - black dolls dressed in baby clothes from John Lewis. She was able to buy lots  - more than enough for the creche  at the Migrant Resource Centre, and someone there suggested that she brought the extra to us.

We are delighted to have them. They will be useful for our Parents' Club - and any informal creches that we run. Thank you, Emily! What an inspired idea.