AN INTREPID York youth worker is embarking on a mercy mission to help poverty-stricken African children living in a slum.

David Milnes, 18, of Nether Poppleton, will travel to Kenya on July 5 for the six-week volunteering adventure as part of the Transform programme, run by Tearfund.

He is currently on a gap year working as a youth worker at St Paul's Church, Holgate, running weekly clubs, school assemblies and Sunday school sessions.

While in Kenya, David will be assisting with the ongoing building development of the FOCUS Students' Centre in the capital Nairobi, which runs conferences, retreats, and training. He will also be visiting university campuses, helping out in local Christian Union meetings, visiting local churches and supporting existing youth workers in one of Kenya's worst slum areas.

The Transform team will comprise of ten volunteers from around the country.

David said: "I really feel drawn to working on the Transform team and believe that it'll be a really enriching experience both mentally and spiritually. From what I've heard the situation in the slums of Nairobi is pretty desperate and I'm keen to help out in any way I can. It should give me a perspective of how fortunate and wealthy we are in England compared to many places in the Third World.

"I really wanted to get involved with Transform because I thought it was a great chance to make a difference in the world no matter how small. I wanted to experience how other cultures live."

David said he was apprehensive about their safety while in Kenya, but felt reassured they had received thorough training and had an experienced support team behind them.

"I feel really nervous and excited about the trip, as I'm sure people can imagine," he said.

"It's a totally unique experience filled with mystery and challenge, but I'm also rather nervous about the difference in culture and lifestyle.

"I hope I will be able to cope with living more simply for six weeks.

"It will be very hard work but I'm looking forward to helping in the local school. It will be amazing to see how they approach informal teaching in a different culture."

David is trying to raise £2,000 for the trip and has undertaken an intensive three-day training course in Ledbury, covering everything from how to avoid contracting diseases to how to be culturally sensitive.

The Transform Programme enables Christians to spend from two weeks to four months working with Tearfund's local partners in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.

Anyone wishing to sponsor David can email dajm2002@hotmail.com