A THURROCK teenager has returned from a life-saving trip to Africa and told how the country captured her heart.

Claire Pavitt, 18, of Cromwell Road, Grays returned from Kenya in August where she took part in a Water Relief Project run by overseas challenge organisation, Quest.

Claire helped build dams with Kenyan charity Excellent Development as well as teaching in schools in Kola and Mombasa.

The main aim of the project was to build a sand dam to produce filtered water for generations to come.

Claire, who is president of the Grays School Media Arts College-based Interact Youth Club, said: "I have a passion to help children and when I worked in a Kenyan Primary School my heart broke.

"The children are mind blowing. All day everyday they are happy and smiling.

"Kenya has captured my heart because the natives know the meaning of team work and community spirit."

When building the dam Claire and her team mates had to mix over 50 bags of cement a day with 150 wheelbarrows of sand.

The Quest group of eight worked together with the local people to complete the dam.

Claire, who is in a gap year from university, said the experience changed her life and is planning a return trip in January to continue her work in local schools for five months.

She said: "I want to continue my work in the local schools of Kola and Mombasa and form a Rotoract Club.

"I'd like to help the Kenyan people understand the meaning of charity work and become more educated about how they can increase their life expectancy while making a difference to their people."

Claire was upset by the living conditions and put herself to the test by living like the Kenyans for the month she was there.

She added: "I experienced a goat being killed in front of my eyes and people walking for miles with no shoes with torn clothes.

"It makes you appreciate what you have. The trip made me realise the small things in life are most important.

"Before we left we gave the community of Kola some of our possessions.

"My heart melted when I gave one lady a jumper she cried and was in total shock. Memories like that is what life should be made of."