THE work being carried out by churches in the townships of South Africa was experienced first hand by a West Devon clergyman and his wife.

The Rev Jeff Moles, Methodist Superintendent Minister for Tavistock, and his wife, Liz, recently returned from a six-week visit to Zimbabwe and South Africa to see for themselves the work being done there by churches to alleviate the suffering of the poorest in society.

In South Africa they visited townships in Johannesburg and in the Western Cape where churches were running pre-schools, soup kitchens, counselling centres and women's refuges.

In Zimbabwe they worked with 'Mind the Gap – Africa', a small charity in Bulawayo — Zimbabwe's second largest city — supported by Tavistock Methodist Church, which provides homes for the many children who are abandoned or orphaned due to the high incidence of HIV/Aids in the country.

The 'Forever Homes', as they are called, provide units of about a dozen children looked after by full-time house parents as well as other staff and volunteers, ensuring that the children are lovingly cared for in a family environment.

They also seek to help grandparents who are looking after their orphaned grandchildren.

Jeff also preached at the local Methodist Church in Bulawayo where there are soup kitchens for the destitute, and mud huts in the rural area outside the city.

At Tavistock Methodist Church between 6.30pm and 8pm on Saturday September 3, Jeff and Liz will be sharing some of their experiences, while the Rev Jenny Hensman, the founder and director of Mind the Gap – Africa will be speaking at the church during her visit to the UK at the 10.45am service on Sunday October 30.