A STUDENT has seen first hand how a Worcester-based charity is changing lives in the Gambia, west Africa.

Fresh Start Foundation (FSF), set up by Lamin and Rebecca Daffeh, of Rainbow Hill, Worcester, is helping abused and exploited children living in the small African country by providing them with health care and education.

When the couple recently visited the FSF centre in Serekunda, 17-year-old Max Allsup, together with his father Richard, aged 44, went with them.

Max said: "It was very emotional. When you go over there, you get addicted to it. The people make you feel part of their community. They are so friendly and so welcoming.

"You start to care about them as if they were members of your own family."

Max, a Worcester Sixth Form student, hopes to spend 12 months teaching at the centre during a gap year.

He added: "The kindness of everybody there amazed me. You can't compare it to anything in England. It is so humbling."

FSF has made huge steps forward since it was set up 16 months ago.

Mr Daffeh, who works for the Worcester drug counselling service Turning Point, is heading the health and social care aspect, while his wife, a teacher at Christopher Whitehead Language College in St John's, Worcster, is concentrating on education.

Both sides of the charity will give vulnerable children, who often turn to prostitution to survive, a better chance with their lives.

There is emphasis on vocational studies and the Gambian government is wholly behind the charity's work.

It has donated a piece of land for it to build a new and bigger centre.

The charity now needs to raise £85,000 to construct it.

Anyone who can help, either by donating or organising fund-raising events, is urged to call Mr Daffeh on 07859927472 or by e-mailing lamin_fsf@hotmail.co.uk