A NORTON woman is preparing to jet off to South Africa to help a community affected by unemployment, crime and drug abuse.

Emma Goring will spend four weeks working for Where Rainbows Meet, which offers training and awareness programmes to people living in Vyrgrond, Cape Town.

The 24-year-old, who found the opportunity via global volunteering organisation, Projects Abroad, will play an active role in establishing societies that will help bring the community together.

She said: "I have some time between jobs in January and decided that I wanted to travel, but in a productive way.

"This is a big challenge for me personally and I really hope my trip is a big success and I hope to gain experience working in a new cultural setting."

Miss Goring said she hopes the trip will prepare her for her new job, adding: "When I return, I will begin a new job for an organisation called Whave.

"I will be moving to Uganda and helping to promote the organisation, their projects and their innovative approach to the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services to attract government and private sector support and funding."