A HAMPSHIRE man got to see close up the vital work of international aid agency Oxfam.

Andy O’Loughlin, 58, from Swanmore saw how donations were spent and how Oxfam projects are improving the lives of people in third world countries.

Mr O’Loughlin visited Turkana region of Kenya which is currently experiencing a severe drought.

He was one of three people selected from across the country who applied for the See For Yourself trip, which offered long-term supporters the opportunity to see how donations are spent.

The group visited eight projects across the country, including five in the Turkana region which have helped thousands of people to cope better during droughts. This included pastoralists who Oxfam have supported with grants and training to start new businesses, enabling people to be less reliant on livestock which makes them vulnerable when water is scarce.

He also saw first-hand how different clean water solutions were providing vital lifelines to villages.

Mr O’Loughlin said: “I applied because I have supported Oxfam for more than 30 years and I wanted to see as many projects as possible so I could properly understand Oxfam’s work. I want to see that Oxfam is making a difference and helping people both now and in the long term.”

Andy will feature in the autumn issue of Oxfam’s supporter magazine and is hoping to become an Oxfam representative, visiting community groups to talk about his experience.

Mr O’Loughlin added: “I think seeing all the different projects really brought home how change happens.

“People understanding their rights, businesses being supported with access to credit and water projects all tackling root causes of poverty.”