A DECORATOR has returned from an eye-opening trip to improve school facilities for disadvantaged youngsters.

Former Novus Property Solutions apprentice Gemma Coulson, 20, spent two weeks in one of the poorest parts of Cape Town, South Africa, to spruce up Busy Bees Educare nursery in the Parkwood area of the city.

A group of five workers were flown out to give the building a new lease of life, fix leaks and refurbish run-down kit.

Gemma, of Middleton Road, Acomb, said: "We were out there to do what we could.

"Some apprentice joiners were with us and they put up a section of roof, so children could go to the toilet when it was raining and not get wet.

"There was a leak in the roof which they had had for a year, but it was only a five minute job for us to fix.

"We were told that only two or three of the children at this school would get a job if they were lucky and that's crazy.

"A lot of the houses in the street were brick, but every one just sat on the street all day and although you could walk around the town in 10 minutes, in that space there was gangs and people being shot."

Novus organised the trip and Gemma says she eager to join in after the company gave her the chance to enter her trade.

She added: "Novus put me through my apprenticeship and gave me everything I needed to get sorted, so I wanted to give something back.

"I've always wanted to do something like this but didn't have the guts to do it with anyone.

"This was an experience that most people wouldn't get but it's one that everyone should have."

Stuart Seddon, Novus chairman, added: "Everyone at Novus is incredibly proud to have been associated with this project.

"The look of delight on the children’s faces when they saw their colourful, new nursery is something that will live long in the memories of the team that were out there.

"As a responsible business, we take great pride in supporting community projects and look forward to completing many more refurbishments such as this in the future."