A large container containing donated schoolbooks and lego for school children in Africa has vanished in County Laois. 

In recent months, hundreds of people have donated items that were due to be taken to Africa by Evin Joyce. 

It is a nearly new grey container that measures 20 foot long and the code on the side of the container is SKAIU2923880. 

On Lunchtime Live, Mr Joyce, who volunteers with the children’s charity Ulemu, said everyone is “very much hoping we can get it back”. 

“The lego and the school books are destined for an island and a parish in rural Malawi - Chisi Island,” he said. 

Mr Joyce has been taking donations to Malawi since 2020 and this year’s trip has been planned for quite some time. 

“We were slowly building up to have a full container of what’s really useful out here,” he said. 

“Not just unused, secondhand, unwanted books but sets of readers for primary school children from junior infants to third class.

“And lego - lots and lots of lego, especially for preschool. 

“Not just for playing with but also writing letters on it so they get to know their full names.” 

Children with lego. Picture by: ulemu.

Mr Joyce added that he “really, really hoping it can be tracked down” and urged Lunchtime Live listeners to keep an eye out for it. 

He added it was particularly “demoralising” as so many Irish children had made donations to help children in Africa. 

Main image: Children with lego. Picture by: ulemu.