Anna Clayton of East Street has spent the last five months as a volunteer in Tanzania, where she is acting as an agricultural assistant, helping to set up the centre which will plant and grow trees for the community.

With seven months still to go, the student, who will be returning to complete her university degree in October, is spending her first Christmas away from home. Instead of turkey, mistletoe and wine, Anna will be spending the day with a family, hoping to create a happier atmosphere for those who are less fortunate.

She told the Thame Gazette: "Christmas here is all about eating and church. Those who have money will no doubt buy lots of food to share, but the people in Uchira tend to not have very much so to them, sadly it will just be another day.

"People live and die here every day and they just accept it as a part of life. We take for granted what we have in England, but the people here are very strong. There's no doubt that the landscapes here are very beautiful, but it's the people that make this place so special," added the student, who is also teaching HIV awareness classes within the community.

"The disease is really prevalent in this area and so we teach classes that are open to students and adults helping to inform people about the illness to everyone in the village."

The determined 21-year-old hopes to raise at least £500 for the agricultural centre and community before she leaves at the end of her year there. Having already raised the sum of £309.58, the student is confident she will reach her target and intends to continue raising money after her return before finally going back after
university.

"I want to follow the project through to the end and make sure that it is set up and fully established and running properly," said Anna.
In regards to missing home and her family over the festive season, she says she is going to miss the togetherness over Christmas.

Her mother, Anita Clayton, added: "It's going to be our first Christmas without Anna so it will be very strange. The family dynamic won't be the same without her, she is very lively.
"However, she's quite focused about what she wants to do, she always has been, it's great, we are very proud of her."

Her mother hopes to see her in Tanzania before she returns.
To help Anna go to www.justgiving.com/anna-clayton