Jorja Hinks, 9, works to build school for Ugandan children

Jorja Hinks's mother calls hernine-year-old daughter the biggest "little" humanitarian she knows, and she certainly is living up to that reputation.

Jorga, who lives in the Goulds neighbourhood in St. John's, is once again working to help those in need, this time with the organization Bread from Heaven to helpchildren in the Ugandan village of Mpigi.

Since May, through a project calledJorja'sJourneys Empowering Orphans,Jorja, with the help of her mother Tracy Langden, has beenraising money by selling crafts, organizing an online Christmas auction and showing off her skills as a DJ for local preteen dances. The goal is the building of a school, with theconstruction of four classrooms, as well asbathrooms for the orphanage.

The school will primarily be for children at the orphanage, with the goal of allowingother youngsters in the village attend as well. And Jorgahopes more additions to the school will follow, with money also raised for the community itself.

Last year, Jorjahelped raise money for sick children spending Christmas in the hospital;thisyear, she is planning her third trip to Africa to help orphans in a Ugandan village.

Building a future

The Ugandan school project came about when Jorja and her mother sponsored a little girl from that countrytwo years ago. The experience made such an impression onJorjaand her mom that the nine-year-old insisted they travel to Uganda to experience it in person.

At first, Tracy was reluctant to take her daughter to an unfamiliar placeinthe heart of Africa, but eventually she agreed, and the two began their love affair with helping children in Uganda.

Jorja said she fell in love with the country in part because of the positive attitude of the residents, despite the poverty.

"Everyone is so happy and grateful with so little," she said.

"It makes me realize how lucky I am."

Jorja's mother was also surprised at what she encountered when she arrived in Uganda.

"It was an eyeopener for us," she said."The environment was just so warm and friendly, from the moment we stepped on the ground we were looking forward to a return visit."

Despite their efforts, Jorja and Tracy said raising enough money is a challenge, but they've seen a lot of support from the community.

"We're hoping to raise a minimum of $20,000," said Tracy Langden.

"We're halfway there ... but no matter what we raise financially, we will definitely make a positive impact."

A history of helping others

Jorja's new project may be more ambitious than her efforts last year withthe fundraiserSleep Tight, which helped deliver new pyjamas to sick children spending Christmas in the hospital, but she isn't discouraged.

• Jorja Hinks, 8, helps less fortunate kids 'Sleep Tight'

"We have a very large goal," said her mother about the Ugandan project."But even if we come halfway, we will still initiate the school project and lay a foundation."

As well, Jorja said, her classmates in Newfoundland are curious about her time in Uganda.

"People ask a lot of questions," she said."I tell them it was beautiful, it was amazing and I want to go again."

The mother and daughter team plans to returnto Uganda inMarch to continue working on the project.

In the meantime, Jorja has set up Twitter and Facebook pages, so their efforts can be followed online. Anyone wishing to find those social media pages can search Jorja's Journeyson each site.