A STUDENT is on the lookout to find a family from Basingstoke who helped her in her time of need when she was abroad.

Emma Ormiston had been spending two months working in a youth hostel in Costa Rica in central America when her belongings were stolen at the border with Nicaragua on August 19.

Emma said: “It was a daunting situation and although I wasn’t harmed, I was left without any money, a phone, or my passport in a country that currently isn’t politically stable. I was also consequently unable to cross the border back to Costa Rica.”

However, her luck turned as when she was waiting with immigration officers, she began talking to a woman and her family as they were crossing the border. They were originally from Slovakia but now lived in Basingstoke.

Emma added: “It was a relief to speak in English after having struggled with my less than fluent Spanish all day.

“They offered to help me and gave me money in a desperate situation, where I didn’t have options I needed to ensure my safety.”

After the generous donation, Emma was able to make sure that she could get back to Costa Rica.

It wasn’t just the money itself that helped Emma the most, but the sense of safety.

Emma said: “The generosity of this family’s gesture was, and has been on reflection, incredibly important to me.

“The money enabled me to travel to the Consulate Office and contact the British Embassy, but more significantly gave me a sense of security for the next few days whilst I was waiting to return to Costa Rica.”

Now, after the trip and returning home to Herefordshire, the University of Sheffield student is looking to thank them.

Emma added: “My memory is hazed but the family included daughters of a school age. I know I have limited information but not everybody would be so helpful in this situation and it would mean a lot to me (and my parents) to be able to acknowledge their kindness.”

Anyone with any information, should email emmarae16@gmail.com.