Life-changing trip to Sierra Leone

Andy and Heidi Belton left their home in Arthur Road to spend seven months in Freetown, the capital of what is one of the poorest countries in the world.

They went out as project leaders for Mission Direct to live and work with local people on schemes such as building a shelter for young people living on the streets.

They are now back in Bexhill adjusting to life at home and already thinking of when they might return.

Andy said: "It is life-changing for sure. I thought when we went into the poorest country I should be expecting the worst...but the people were fantastic. Poverty makes people work together - the community support was fantastic. I was greatly surprised how wonderful the people were, how generous. They just wanted to know us...we were the only white people in the area, in the east of the town, so when you go into the area to be with them they love it.

"We saved lives there...we did everything. You don't realise what you have done until you come back home and start thinking about it. I was looking after the construction side of the actual work with local guys in my team and we got on so great with each other."

Andy, who is a plumber by trade and back working for the NHS, was involved in repairing buildings which had been destroyed in rebel fighting, or setting up new ones, such as toilet blocks for the elderly or working for polio victims. He ended up doing an enormous variety of work way beyond the original main projects he set out on.

Heidi's job as country manager was to organise group programmes for Mission Direct volunteers and arrange transport for them as well as funding for projects and transportation.

She said: "I was really worried before I went I would not cope with the African way of life, such as the lack of organisation, but it was better than I expected. I was surprised at how much support we had from local project people. That was brilliant.

"I feel changed by it - it built our confidence in many ways, and put things into perspective. I think we want to do more in the future. It was very fulfilling because you can see the results. I think it was an interesting experience for us working and living together as a couple."

Andy and Heidi made an enormous effort to get to Sierra Leone, raising 9,000 with events like a garage sale and sponsored walk.

Even so they were struck by how easy it was for them then to make a difference to peoples' lives. Andy remembers hearing from one of his workers, Videl, that his seven year old daughter was dying with a swollen stomach, and was able to save her life with a 2 trip to the pharmacy for simple medication.

They thank all friends, family, neighbours and Sidley Baptist church for the support which enabled them to go.

Heidi said: "People were very kind because they knew what we had to do and they helped us."

Andy added: "The way it has affected us means I think we are going. We don't know the timescale, but we know we can't go back to life as we knew it. I have been in Bexhill all my life but now I keep thinking of this experience and cannot settle into sitting around in a chair. So something will happen but we don't know where or when. But we are open to it and available. Now we need to get back to work and get some money and try to take on normal life."