A FATHER and daughter have returned from a two-week mission of mercy to one of the world's poorest countries.

Kieran and Annemarie McManus set off for Mwanza in Tanzania, Africa, to help out at the Bethany Orphanage which cares for youngsters without families.

They flew out with a team of volunteers who were all hoping their efforts would make a lasting difference to the people of the nation.

Once they landed in the country they were picked up by a 4x4 and taken to the orphanage, which occupies 30 acres of land on the shores of Lake Victoria.

While they were there, Kieran, 55, who works in student services at Accrington and Rossendale College, helped build doors and other fittings for the building.

He is an experienced joiner who spent years working in the building trade.

Annemarie, 24, a nursery nurse, worked with some of the children on their language skills, helping them to learn how to teach English to other youngsters at the project.

Kieran said: "The orphanage is a collection of buildings with tin roofs arranged in a circle and when you go you have to be prepared to sacrifice some of your home comforts.

"When we arrived a load of children came to see us and they were bowing to us and shaking our hands. They treated us like royalty.

"The work was very tiring and we knew we would have to work like we had never worked before. We were up at 7am every morning and we had breakfast, followed by work until 1pm.

"After a brief rest we then continued to work until about 6pm and once we had eaten some tea we went straight to bed.

"I don't think I have ever been to bed so early in my life.

"Although it was very tiring, it was really worthwhile. You could see the difference the project was making with your own eyes."

Kieran was inspired to fly out to Tanzania after hearing a colleague give a talk about the plight of Africa.

Colleagues at Accrington and Rossendale College organised a concert last year to raise funds for Kieran's trip.

The event was held at Sydney Street Working Men's Club, Accrington, and was called Beth Aid.

Kieran, of Barnfield Street, Accrington, is married to Sheila who works at St Anne's and St Joseph's Primary School, Accrington, as site manager.

As well as Annmarie they have a son Lee, 26, who is an assistant manager for Tesco.

Kieran said that he would like to return to Tanzania in the future to do more voluntary work at the orphanage.

The Bethany Orphanage was founded in 1989 by visiting evangelists Paul Morley and Dave Shore.

It now provides a clinic run by four medically-trained local people, 7,000 gallons of purified water every day and a family for 66 children.