MOST people are familiar with Dreamworks' hit animated films, Madagascar and Madagascar 2.

But one Gwent woman wants to help people in the real Madasgcar make their dreams of a better life come true - with the help of Gwent schools.

Monmouth-based travel writer Christina Dodwell, 57, wants to help the "forgotten" country where families survive off just £150 a year.

Miss Dodwell founded the Dodwell Trust in 1996 which is dedicated to helping the island republic which sits off the southeastern coast of Africa.

She has already sent over 100 volunteers to help the French-speaking locals learn English and now wants Gwent schools to send old computers to help break "Madagscar's isolation". School leavers earn just 70p a day working in the fields, but can access far better jobs with computer skills.

Having the internet will also open up other possibilities to the poor country- such as trade with neighbours like South Africa.

In partnership with charity IT Schools Africa, she wants Gwent schools to follow Overmonnow Primary's lead and twin themselves with schools in Madagscar.

Miss Dodwell fell in love with Madagscar after visiting in 1992. She then spent 10 years working for the consulate of Madagascar in London.

She said: “There is no charity there, no-one helping. Yet, while they are so forgotten, the people always smile. They are the most charming, romantic, dreamy, poetic country and the people believe that one day everything will be okay.”

Miss Dodwell moved to Monmouth in 1999. While she loves the scenery in Gwent, she describes Madagascar as "magical and enchanting with incredible bio-diversity".

The seven-year computer project aims to send 10,000 old PCs to Madagascar. These will help establish 500 regional IT resource centres.

For details, visit www.dodwell-trust.org or www.itschoolsafrica.org.