A TEACHER from Bromyard is setting up a charity to help schoolchildren in Tanzania.

Emma Brice, from St Peter's Primary School, flew back to Britain last week, after spending six months doing voluntary work at a small village in the east African country.

She was so touched by what she saw that, along with three other volunteers, she has launched SEED (Secondary Education to Encourage Development) to pay for teenagers to continue their schooling.

"Over there they must pay for secondary school if they do A'Levels," said Emma. "Most people can't afford the fees, so they have no chance of GCSE or A'Level qualifications.

"It really hits you when you see how absolutely desperate they are to go on."

SEED is looking for sponsors to fund a child through each year of their education. The youngster will then write to keep their supporters updated on their progress.

It costs around £100 for a year of education but SEED, which will also be collecting money in America and Australia, is looking for any donations.

The group is hoping to receive official charitable status from the Charity Commission in the next few weeks.

Emma described her time in Tanzania, the world's eighth poorest country, as one of the high points of her life.

"Just living with people who are in real poverty and being accepted into their community is an amazing experience," she said.

"My last day was possibly the most memorable. We held a community celebration event and we had well over a thousand people there.

"All the local groups we had been working with did traditional dances about the things we had done."

Working in the village of Nyamihuu, Emma divided her time between working with schoolchildren and the community as a whole. She taught the locals about aid, health, the environment and fuel-efficient stoves.

Now Emma plans to draw on her experience overseas when lessons resume next week at St Peter's Primary.

"Hopefully, I'll be able to use geography lessons to show the children what I learnt while I was away," she said.

Anyone who wants to help SEED, should ring 01885 488494.