KIND-HEARTED students from the Oak Academy and LeAF Studio in Bournemouth are returning home from a mercy mission helping children in war-torn Rwanda.

The teenagers, aged 14 to 18, have been spending 11 days in the nation’s capital Kigali with the CRED Foundation – a charity dedicated to transforming lives in Third World countries.

The youngsters spent time working at a Street Kids Catch-Up School, run by CRED’s local partner, where they provided fun and creative activities for the street children.

The school helps young people trapped in street life to catch up on what they have missed out on, before hopefully going on to mainstream education. Oak Academy’s head of health and social well-being, Rebekah Cummings, has also joined the students on the trip.

Before setting off, she said: “Rwanda still lives under the shadow of the genocide that happened in 1994.

“The trauma of that war and the ongoing issue of orphans and street children is a legacy still felt by most in Rwanda.

“This trip will be a real eye-opener for our students and they are relishing the challenge.

“They are really looking forward to helping other young children and teenagers not as fortunate as them.”

The students have been working tirelessly all year to raise £1,500 each – the total needed to enable them to join the expedition.

They have also been working with their teachers on preparing both emotionally and physically for what will be a challenging trip.

The students will return to England tomorrow.