A GENEROUS Redditch woman is helping an African teenage artist to continue his education by selling his work to townsfolk.

Mary Kerry, from Crabbs Cross, stumbled across 17-year-old Erik Juma Odera when she visited his orphanage, in Kisumu, Kenya, at Christmas.

Mrs Kerry already sponsors a handful of children, including Erik, and spotted his obvious talent at the Covenant House orphanage.

Mrs Kerry brought back about 20 of Erik's paintings and has already sold one after an exhibition held at All Saints Church, in Bromsgrove.

The Palace Theatre has arranged for an exhibition in June and July and another one will be held at Redditch Library later in the year.

The money from the paintings will go towards his secondary education, which Erik would not be able to afford on his own.

"Erik has twin brothers, Ben and Steven, who are about 11 years old, who he looks after along with his ill grandmother," said Mrs Kerry.

"At the moment, Erik has completed his primary education but needs to do four years of secondary education - which costs money.

"Erik has certainly got the ability and if he can develop his skills there, he will be able to help his family who are really in poverty," she added.

Pat Botwright, who set up the orphanage 10 years ago, will be visiting Redditch this week and talking about how to sponsor a child, as well as her own experiences.

Mrs Botwright will attend St Peter's Church, in Crabbs Cross, on Sunday at 10am and in the evening at the Assembly of God on Cedar Road, Enfield, at 6pm.