“I’D GO back tomorrow if I can”.

These are the words of a Hampshire resident who has just completed a two-week mission to help orphaned children in the Southern African country of Swaziland.

Vicci Elliot, was among a team of ten people from Romsey Elim Church who took supplies including clothes, shoes, gifts and sweets to orphanages and schools in Swaziland.

Ms Elliot and her team helped children in Bulembu, an old mining town in Swaziland, where about 240 youngsters live after they were rescued from situations where they were abused or orphaned.

Ms Elliot, who lives in Chandler’s Ford, said: “It was such a humbling experience. Every single person we met there was so welcoming, generous and so happy to see us.

“We played football with the kids, chatted and danced - we even taught them a barn dance!”

The group also helped the children practice their English skills, cook and paint and donated them t-shirts and memorabilia from Southampton Football Club plus gifts from Reading FC’s supporters club.

Ms Elliot said this experience has changed her life.

“It has really made me value what I’ve got and think about how lucky I am,”she said.

And added: “We met so many people who had nothing, yet were just so happy with their life and the simple things.

“I was so grateful to have the opportunity to make even a small difference. I’d go back tomorrow if I could. Before I went on the trip, I was very self-conscious - now I feel I can do anything.”

The mission was run by Challenge Ministries, which works to help improve the quality of life for African children and adults.

Donations were made by Winchester-based company Smith Newmans where Ms Elliot works.