A WOMAN from the Wee County is set to visit Zambia to see how a ground-breaking project is helping to empower teenage mothers.

Alloa's Dana McQuater, who previously featured in the Advertiser when she became moderator of the Church of Scotland's National Youth Assembly, will see first-hand the work being carried out near the African nation's capital Lusaka.

The kind-hearted 24-year-old, who had also previously undertaken the Brave the Shave challenge for Macmillan, will see the Journeying Together project in Kanyama, run by the United Church of Zambia.

The project, which benefited from more than £40,000 in funding from the Church of Scotland, is supporting 50 girls who live in a densely populated area, often struck by severe flooding during the rainy season.

Poor drainage and sanitation, with very few homes having toilets, can lead to outbreaks of cholera and dysentery with babies and small children most at risk.

Dana, a familiar face at Alloa Ludgate Church, said: "I am really looking forward to visiting Zambia to see first-hand how money raised has been used to support this project.

"The United Church of Zambia is doing fantastic work to tackle the vicious cycle of poverty by providing opportunities for people who simply want the ability to help themselves.

"Some of them are victims of domestic violence, victims of rape or sometimes they just fell in love with a boy, got pregnant and he then disappeared.

"It is about giving young women a hand up, not a hand out because what they really want is the chance to finish their education, get a job and give their child the best possible start in life.

"Whatever their circumstances, the project is about showing these girls that they are valued and loved by God and equipping them with the skills that they need to thrive."

Key pieces of work of the project focus on providing core training and essential skills in nutrition and parenting along with sex education to build confidence and challenge social injustice.

Those supported are given the chance to return to school and finish their education or are provided with vocational training in a skill that will enable them to make their own money.

Scotland has strong links to Zambia, which can be traced back to the days of missionaries like David Livingstone.

Dana's seven-day trip, set to take place at the end of the month, is being organised by the Church of Scotland's Faith Impact Forum, formerly known as the World Mission Council.

The local woman, who works at the local McDonald's, is proud that the church guild is raising money for the project.

She added: "Scotland has always been an outward looking, caring country and we are proud to be walking alongside Zambians, learning from and sharing with each other.

"As Scots we want to do right by people, whether it is our neighbours here in Scotland or in Zambia."