A MALVERN woman is raising funds to bring a talented African teacher to the town for a year to put her through her teaching qualifications.

Alice Bennett, who runs the Madresfield Early Years Centre, met Agnes Kadzo Hinzano in Mombasa, Kenya, when she travelled to the region in August to hand over a £2,000 cheque towards the construction of a bush school.

She now hopes to raise almost £1,500 over New Year to pay for the teacher to visit.

"She was working in the kids' club at the hotel where we staying," said Mrs Bennett.

"She is extremely intelligent, speaks six different languages and is great with kids.

"But they weren't even paying her a salary.

"She had been told she might get a salary if she worked long and hard enough.

"She is now being paid, but it's a pittance. So I'm raising funds to fly her over here to stay with us. We live on a farm and I have a spare room for a year while she studies for her teaching NVQ."

Staff and pupils at the centre aim to raise £1,400 for Agnes' flights to England and pay for a passport, visa, shoes, a suitcase and warm clothes.

The 24-year-old will work at the centre, gaining experience and paying for her tuition fees.

When she has completed her studies, Agnes can return to teach in Kenya.

If the scheme is a success, it could pave the way for more African students to come to Malvern to gain qualifications.

But Mrs Bennett warned that on return, Agnes would face difficulties unimaginable to English teachers.

"Pupils at the school we have set up have to travel seven miles to the nearest source of clean water," she revealed.

"Our next project is to fund a water supply for them."

To make a donation, contact Mrs Bennett on 01684 574378.