IN TWO years, Alison Ray has changed the lives of 48 children and their families with Our Rainbow House.

The Emerald mother founded a school in Chainda, Zambia, and handpicked disadvantaged children from the village to attend.

Alison said there had been "ups and downs" during the two years and she was proud to have reached this milestone.

"The kids are growing, they are loving school and we have the same staff as when we started," she said.

"And we can hope we keep surviving.

"We were very nervous when we first started; we just sort of live six-months by six-months.

"We are making a huge difference - these kids wouldn't have an education and those girls and boys teaching them wouldn't have a job.

"We have sponsors sponsoring the teachers to get further education, so they can go to college in their holidays to study."

Alison and the Our Rainbow House committee are hosting a birthday celebration on Friday evening, to thank the community for their help.

"It is just a little gathering really, and we just want to do a bit of cooking and have a little party and thank everybody for what they have done for us for the past two years," Alison said.

"It is just a little community thank you, really.

"It is for friends, family, and believers - anyone can come along."

The celebrations will take place at the Rotary Shed on Hospital Access Rd from 6.30pm on Friday, with complimentary drinks on arrival.

Anyone is welcome to attend the event, but must RSVP to Alison on 0407 040 251, by this afternoon.