A CARING student teacher is embarking on a trip to one of the poorest areas of South Africa to help orphaned children.

Amie Forbes says seeing heartbreaking images of desperately poor children on TV inspired her to take action and help them.

The 18-year-old, who lives in Inverkip’s Swallow Crescent, will travel to the St Lucia area of the country where she will volunteer at a children’s orphanage.

In a special programme which is run by the organisation VESA, Amie will teach the children English as well as give them advice on basic sanitation and hygiene.

She will also help to renovate run-down facilities and build and install sustainable farming units.

Amie, who is studying primary education at the University of the West of Scotland’s campus in Ayr, believes it will be a life-changing experience.

She told the Tele: “I think I’m going to be an emotional wreck.

“It’ll be hard to see all the wee ones in the orphanage, I think that’ll upset me the most.

“But it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.

“I’m really looking forward to teaching the children.

“Even if I can help just one child then it’ll be worth it.” As well as working at the orphanage, the former Clydeview Academy pupil will also come face-to-face with animals like crocodiles, leopards and cheetahs as part of a conservation programme.

She said: “I’ll be working in the national park’s conservation areas within the wetlands.

“Some of the work will be in the observation, capture and release of crocodiles, the counting of crocodile eggs as well as feeding and cleaning the enclosures of the smaller crocs and alligators.

“I will also work with cheetahs and leopards in a rehabilitation, breeding and release programme.

“It should be really interesting.” To pay for the trip next July, Amie has to raise around £2,000.

She said: “I’m going to hold some fundraising events after Christmas.

“I am hoping to raise awareness and gather both sponsors and donations from the people and businesses of Inverclyde to aid my ongoing fundraising.” Anyone who would like to sponsor Amie should email amie_x3@yahoo.co.uk