High-achieving Saida Akram helped sew the seeds for a sustainable future for malnourished youngsters in Tanzania during an emotionally charged trip of a lifetime to Africa.
Saida, from Lower Earley, Reading, was part of a delegation from leading business-to-business express delivery company, TNT, who flew out to Kilimanjaro to support the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) feed and educate impoverished orphans and youngsters.
Along with colleagues from all over the UK, Saida (33), Sales Manager for TNT's Reading Depot at Station Road, Theale, flew more than 5,000 miles to witness, first hand, how the WFP makes the best possible use of TNT's annual donation of more than £7.5million to help feed and sustain hungry children.
One of the highlights of the five-day trip was a visit to the Kinyamwenda Primary School in the Singida District of Tanzania, where hundreds of children are fed and educated, courtesy of funds generated by TNT and the work conducted on the ground by WFP volunteers.
During her time at the school, Saida planted trees and crops to help provide for a decent harvest and local food supply for years to come.
Remarking on the whole experience, Saida said: "We were made to feel incredibly welcome and the overwhelming gratitude of the people we met made me feel almost guilty.
"It was very humbling, especially after spending time with young orphans and children who survived on just one bowl of rice and maize a day.
"I felt privileged to have spent time with some remarkable children. They have so little in life and yet they never seemed to stop smiling. They melted our hearts and it put into perspective how fortunate we are with what we have and how we are able to live here in the UK.
"It was gratifying to know that the aid given by TNT really does make a difference in helping keep thousands of boys and girls alive and well, in a harsh and unforgiving terrain. It was a fantastic adventure and one that I shall never forget."