A Carlisle nurse who spent four weeks volunteering in Africa has described it as the most humbling experience of her life.

Mandy Howes, 56, of Richardson Street, Denton Holme, flew out to Zambia to help in both a hospital and school.

While there, she met children suffering from severe malnutrition - following a long drought - and teenagers with HIV.

“When you see children in Africa starving on the TV, it was every bit as bad as that. You kind of think it isn’t really like that, but it was,” she said.

The experience was so powerful that she is now working to raise awareness of their plight and help provide vital funds.

Mandy, who has a grown up daughter called Emily, is a qualified children’s nurse and former school nurse.

Now semi-retired, she worked for the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in the strengthening families team.

However she has long held a dream to volunteer overseas and use her skills to those facing real hardship.

A member of St Bede’s Church in Wigton Road, she discovered that the priests had links to a Convent in Monze, Zambia.

They helped to put Mandy in touch, and they agreed she could fly out for four weeks to volunteer at both Monze Mission Hospital and St Vincent’s Community School, spending two weeks in each.

Knowing how poor the area was, she spent time fundraising before flying out – raising £2,200 through coffee mornings, charity nights and a sponsored walk around Derwentwater. She paid for her own accommodation and flights, to ensure every penny went to help those in need.

Mandy arrived following a three-month drought. The dry conditions meant nothing would grow and many were starving.

She saw the effects of this firsthand while working in the hospital on the children’s ward, in maternity and in an HIV clinic for adolescents.

“The children on the ward had malnutrition and some of them were very, very poorly - but they were still trying to smile and hold your hand.

“Some of them don’t just have malnutrition, they also have malaria and HIV. They have got nothing, yet they were so grateful and smiley.

“It was a very humbling experience. It makes you realise that we are so lucky in this country,” she explained.

“I did a lot while I was out there. I sat with mothers and mopped their brows while they were having their babies. That was a special experience,” said Mandy, who was honoured that one mother named her baby Amanda, after her.

“I worked in a sexual health clinic for years so I wanted to help in the HIV clinic. There were so many young people affected. It was hard.

“They also asked me to talk to the School of Nursing about my job over here.”

Mandy used half of the money she raised to buy essential supplies and food for the children’s ward and maternity department.

The other half was donated to the school, helping to feed the children who often only get that one meal a day as their parents are so poor.

She said: “The children were just a delight. So well-mannered and lovely.

“Every day I worked in a different class alongside a teacher. I really enjoyed it. I felt like part of the team and everyone was so lovely.

“They get no government funding for books, school dinners or uniforms and the parents can’t afford it, so the school is constantly looking for donations.

“The money I raised will pay for the dinners for a couple of months, but then they will need more.”

Mandy is also a governor at Brook Street School in Carlisle, who are now forging links with children in Monze. Pupils at Brook Street have already raised £100 to help fund uniforms, which Mandy handed over during her trip.

She said the whole experience really opened her eyes to the challenges facing families in Zambia, and the huge differences between life there and in the UK.

“The housekeeper at the convent was in her mid-thirties, had five children and was a widow. There are no benefits, no pensions. There is no help for people like her. It is tough, yet they just get on with it,” said Mandy.

“Religion is a big thing there. I’m a Catholic and I would go to the church for Mass. The churches were all so full.”

Looking back on her trip, she said it has made her even more determined to help.

“I really want to help to raise awareness and hopefully some more money. I have promised them I will. They are desperate for help. I can’t stop thinking about it.

“Hopefully I have helped people but my money will only last a few months. After that they will need more help.”

Mandy said it was a very special experience, and one she is keen to share with as many people as possible now that she is home.

“The four-week trip was the most humbling experience of my life,” she said.

“It was wonderful to see so many children who are grateful for their education whilst having virtually nothing in terms of material necessities. Their happiness, politeness and respectful demeanours were truly heartwarming.

“It was just something I’ve wanted to do for such a long time.

“It was tough, but it was a brilliant experience. I felt like I was living my dream, being able to help in some small way.”

Mandy is planning to hold more charity events, quiz nights and other fundraisers to ensure the school and hospital continue to receive vital support.

She has also set up a crowdfunding page so that anyone who reads her story and wants to help, can make a donation online. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/the-zambian-fund.