A TEENAGER is set to go on a self-funded charity mission to help orphaned Tanzanian children.

Karis McQuoid from Motherwell is due to take a break from her job at Winter Gardens in Glasgow to work with orphaned children living in the Moshi Children’s Christian Centre in Tanzania.

The 19-year-old, who is currently studying a degree in zoology at University West of Scotland, has worked at Encore’s Winter Gardens for three years with hope she will relocate to Africa permanently.

Karis and a group of friends will spend over two weeks in Moshi which is located at the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcanic mountain in Africa. Their task is to provide food, games and supplies to the disadvantaged children of the area.

Currently the teenager is raising money for children who fruit in streets to make money for food and are in need of new clothing.

She said: “The children often have no shoes, and end up standing on glass which can lead to infections they are unable to fight. By providing shoes they can at least be safe from that.”

Julia McCreadie, head of Encore and facilities management of Encore, is proud of the young student.

She said: “It is fantastic that one of our team is going above and beyond to make a difference in lives of the children living in extreme poverty.”

In 2008 Karis lived in Tanzania for six months with her parents which a return to the country last year made her want to organise it as a regular event.