Mission 2 - Rainbow Airbridge to Little Angels Pietermaritzburg. 21st February 2004. Contact was initially made with Sandy Lyne of Little Angels over the internet and their requirements were determined. Mike then made the calls to donor organisations and thanks must go to Nestle and Dischem who came to the party with nutritional foodstuff and some nappies. There was also a need for creams and some medication, but, this is proving to be difficult to get our hands on. BP has kindly donated our fuel and oil needs for this year and a big thank you must go to them. We had approximately 400 kg's of product available, to load into 2 aircraft that could only take 250 kg's. Ernie put the call out to our volunteer pilots and Dirk Haertel and Armand Upton responded. Both Ernie and Mike accompanied these two pilots, exchanging co-pilot seats on each leg of the trip, flying a Cessna 172 (ZS-OUZ), and a Piper Cherokee 160 (ZS-MLF) respectively and respectably. Mike accompanied Armand for the down leg. It was a pleasure to see the enthusiasm that Armand has for his flying and for our cause as well, as a result he has pledged himself to volunteer for as many flights as we can offer him. Here is a pilot on his way to the top, Pipers today, jumbo's tomorrow. Ernie joined Dirk on the way down. For Dirk there were many firsts for him, he made the furthest journey away from Johannesburg, and this was his longest trip. He flew the highest he has flown (FL095), and the lowest he has flown (ht unknown), diverting south under weather near Harrismith. We certainly hope that Dirk is a more accomplished pilot as a result of his experiences on this trip. Sandy from Little Angels met us at Pietermaritzburg Oribi with some little helpers very keen to see the aircraft and some big helpers to offload the product. We visited their home which houses about 14 children at the moment. We met some of the young children and the volunteers who help care for them. The organisation is linked to Tabitha Ministries who help them with funding and aid when there is a shortfall. Their house, donated by Tabitha, needs some attention looking at it from the outside, but inside a warm and caring atmosphere prevailed. Their pantry is a little fuller and all our hearts a little richer for the experience. Thank you to all the people and organisations mentioned above. From our perspective Rainbow Airbridge is fulfilling its aims and objectives. Report by Ernie Alexander