MORE than 60 goats and a cow were presented to needy widows and orphans in Africa thanks to the generosity of fund-raisers from Kidderminster Methodist Church.

Revd Mary Austin and volunteer, Sarah Clark, travelled to West Kenya with donations of more than £2,500, some of which was used to buy the animals.

The trip followed an appeal by the church for people to give a goat as a Christmas present.

It was just one idea in an ongoing relationship between the church and Kenyan faith organisation, Omwabini, which works towards sustainable community development in areas of West Kenya which have been devastated by HIV and Aids.

Organisers believed the goat gifts would provide a way to help widows and orphans support themselves.

Mrs Austin said the fund-raising idea had been a success, with some people walking more than 25 kilometres to collect the goats but that, generally, local people should decide where money was spent.

She explained: "I don't think we should dictate where the money goes but there is a feeling that, this way, it is going directly to the poorest people."

Mrs Austin, spent nearly two weeks staying with Omwabini founder, Mary Bunyasi, in a mud hut built especially for her.

She now plans to continue her fund-raising and is appealing for people or organisations willing to sponsor a child's education by donating £250 a year for four years.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a child should ring Mrs Austin on 01562 823300.