STUDENT Douglas Webb helped build a badly-needed school kitchen during a trip to Swaziland.

Douglas lives in Northwich, and with 14 fellow sixth formers from Abbey Gate College near Chester spent three weeks in the land-locked southern African state.

Swaziland is one of Africa’s smallest and poorest countries, with a population of 1.2 million, and has a major HIV and AIDS problem.

Abbey Gate College and Mlindzini High School and its two primary schools have been twinned for three years.

The students’ task was to help with the building of a new school kitchen.

Existing cooking facilities were basic open fires, and the cook was regularly ill from inhaling fumes.

The school put a major effort into fundraising before the trip, and Douglas received funding towards the cost of the visit from Northwich Rotary Club.

Following his return he gave a presentation to the club on his experiences in Swaziland.

“Douglas told us it had been a most rewarding experience for the students and those associated with the Mlindzini schools,” said Rupert Adams, the club’s community and vocational committee chairman.

“They camped in the school grounds, and a great deal of physical work followed – mixing cement, sifting plaster sand and fetching and carrying.

“They were the labourers for the local builder, and building work and plastering was finished in five days.

“Northwich Rotary Club regularly funds local young adults to help them participate in charitable work in the UK and abroad,” said Mr Evans.

“We believe this benefits the recipients of the work and the participants, giving them life skills and experiences which are otherwise difficult to come by. Our financial support helps them become more rounded individuals.”

For more information email rotaryclubnorthwich@gmail.com The trip was organised through Sense Africa, the only Swaziland travel specialist in the UK.

“Abbey Gate College students raised R60,000 to build the kitchen, they then raised more money to come to Swaziland and helped in the building of the project,” said Sense Africa director Jenny Bowen.

“This whole process will stay with these students forever, and is something that has been life-changing for them all.”