TEENAGE members of St Helier Methodist Centre will be among those spending the next fortnight learning about life in an orphanage in South Africa.

They are leaving the Island today in a group led by the minister, the Rev Liz Hunter, to visit the Esperado Children’s Haven in Lows Creek, which is an orphanage for children who have lost their parents to HIV and Aids.

Run by a woman called Sophia with the help of her family, the home is totally reliant on donations from contributors around the world.

This orphanage has been supported by St Helier Methodist Centre for two years and during that time has received several thousand pounds from its members.

Ms Hunter said that funds to pay for the group’s visit to the orphanage had been raised by a series of events including an African meal, Liberation Day walk, car washing, and cake and book sales.

‘This trip was funded by a whole-church effort,’ she said. ‘Everyone has been extremely supportive.’

• Picture: Members of St Helier Methodist Centre who are travelling to a South African orphanage. Front row, from left: Jane Pointon, Ms Hunter and Simon Young. Back: Jenna Treleven, Alex Pointon and Moreena Treleven