TEENAGERS from a Bournemouth school brought festive cheer to young people in Ethiopia when they made a special mission to the African country.

A team of 22 youngsters from Oakmead Technology College, part of the LeAF Academy, went to the capital Addis Ababa armed with toys and games, with the aim of bringing as much happiness and laughter as possible to local children.

The Oakmead students, whose ages ranged from 12 to 17, spent 10 days in the country hosting play schemes for the local kindergarten and youth club.

Before their trip, which was organised by the CRED Foundation, the students collected dozens of toys and games, which were donated by local businesses and the community, to take with them.

Sixth former, Zeynep Turkoz, 17, has been so inspired by her experience in Ethiopia she intends to return during her gap year.

She said: “It’s a really beautiful place and the people there are amazing. There’s a real sense of community out there,” she said.

“All the things we take for granted, like toys and games, are cherished over there. We were able to give the children the week of their lives.”

And 13-year-old William Hurst agreed: “It was such an eye opener – seeing the kids who virtually have nothing compared to what we have here.

“They are so desperate to go to school and learn, that it makes you realise just how lucky we are here. “ William, Zeynep and the other 20 students who made this special trip have spent time talking to the rest of the school about their experiences.

Rebecca Cummings, the school’s head of health and social well-being, said: “The team that went out to Ethiopia came together like a family.

“We had some students who had never even been abroad before and all of them just want to go back – they have taken the country and the children there, into their hearts.”