Out of Africa (From Watford Observer)

Out of Africa

10:28am Tuesday 25th April 2006 in

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THE woman behind a charity helping orphaned AIDS children in South Africa said a recent trip to the area affected her deeply.

Elena Utton runs the One Life charity, which helps youngsters in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province, an area riven by high rates of malnutrition and HIV/AIDS.

Her efforts have so far raised over £22,000 which is used for blankets, medication and food.

Mrs Utton, of Alpha Road, Chingford, recently returned from a one-month trip to South Africa to distribute funds and sports equipment for the children and see first hand the effects of the charity's work.

She said: "The trip was a real eye-opener. I have been out there before and I thought I was coping really well but a couple of things hit me hard and I felt the tears well up. But I did not want them to see the effect the situation was having on me.

"The conditions these people, these children, have to live in, is shocking by any standards and you would have to be a very hard person not to be affected."

Mrs Utton travelled with Franz Ballack, a charity project manager in the province and a trusted figure there.

She visited feeding centres and squatters' camps and said she felt privileged that people had welcomed her and let them into their homes.

A quick fundraising effort before her departure brought in £700 which was used to buy cricket kits, footballs and skipping ropes for the children on arrival in Africa.

One of the charity's main initiatives is helping these suffering children into education.

By the time of her return to the UK , 136 children were being put through school thanks to local sponsors, with 30 more on the waiting list.

Other plans include the completion of a feeding centre with the installation of toilets and the purchase of a second hand people carrier to transport the sick.

The charity has planned a sponsored family walk from Richmond to Kew on Saturday, June 10, and anyone can take part.

Mrs Utton said: "We really can make a difference. I've seen the dramatic changes medication can bring to these orphans' lives."

To sponsor a child or make a donation, call 8926 2431.

For more information visit www.onelife-online.-org.uk.