A volunteer who is helping communities in South Africa says she has learnt so much in just a few weeks.

Abi Nelson, of Buckthorne Road, Minster, is in Durban for 10 weeks through the charity Tear Fund, a Christian organisation which aims to combat poverty.

It works with the International Citizen Service (ICS), which is a government-funded project to get more young people to volunteer abroad.

The 22-year-old, who is a member of Community Church Sheppey, has been there for more than a month.

Her first week was spent in the classroom learning some basic Zulu and about the big issues the area is facing.

The former Cheyne Middle School pupil is working with a charity out there called Focus on iThemba, which means focus on hope.

They aim to help youngsters, from running primary schools and foster homes as well as giving seminars on big issues and working with children to promote healthy eating and give information about HIV/Aids.

She said: “I am having a really great time. I’ve learnt so much in such a short amount of time. It seems to be going so quickly but I love I am able to spend time working with the local people.”