Barclays Wealth Credit Operations staff member, Sarah Maguire, has recently returned from a two week trip to South Africa with the Barclays Wealth charity of the year, BallaAfrica. BallaAfrica is a local charity set up in 2008 to help some of the poorest communities in the world by undertaking special projects. These projects help benefit the people of the Island visiting South Africa by giving them a structured base and place to stay where they can then enrich their life by helping and uplifting local communities. The charity was set up by local teacher Johan Loubser who worked with malnourished children in Africa many years ago. The sad memories of these children has stayed with Johan and so when he moved to the Island he decided to set up BallaAfrica hoping to make a difference to the lives of these young people. It was chosen as the Barclays Wealth charity of the year by staff vote at the start of 2010. A donation of ?3,000 was given to BallaAfrica by the Barclays Wealth Charity Committee to be used towards projects identified by the charity. A group of six people travelled to South Africa at their own cost, to undertake voluntary work in some of the townships and camps most in need. Sarah and five other local people made the trip in August. Sarah said: ‘Travelling to South Africa is one of the best experiences of my life. Although the two weeks in South Africa proved to be hard work and emotionally difficult at times, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this fascinating country. The charity has already funded the construction of a Community Centre, accommodation, craft area and sports hall on the outskirts of Bronkhorstspruit (Pretoria) which is used by the local community and gave us a place to stay during our visit. From this base we visited the townships in the area and in particular the home of an amazing lady called Adelaide who helped look after orphans in her home and provided them with food and drink before they went to school. We helped to decorate and repair areas of her home to allow her to have her own space away from where the children gathered. The children were amazing and so happy that they always brought a smile to my face. Continues