A WEST Devon mother and daughter have returned home from a 'once in a lifetime' volunteering trip to Kenya where they helped run healthcare outreach clinics.

Harriet Edwards, 18, travelled with her mother Emma Edwards, a nurse at West Hoe Surgery, and 20 other British volunteers from both nursing and non-medical professions.

For 16 days volunteers took part in the 2014 Healthcare Outreach programme, organised by expedition specialists Camps International.

Harriet, Emma and the volunteers built a 'trust-fuelled' relationship with the local Kenyan health workers and, together, the team opened six free health clinics at five primary schools in the Taita-Taventa county area of rural Kenya.

Emma was part of a team of consultees and also worked in the dispensary. They had to deal with the challenges of the local population, including a nine month drought and malnutrition.

She said: 'Having Harriet there was amazing. She bonded with the group really well and grew in confidence over the two weeks.

'It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with her and enjoy all that Kenya had to offer.'

Harriet, who is currently on her gap year, and the team helped to treat more than 3,500 people during her time in Kenya and educate people on sexual health, helping to reduce various stigmas and myths.

During their rest days, Emma and Harriet, who live in Tavistock, spent time with a local women's group bread-making, making traditional Kenyan mandazi and traditional dancing.

Harriet said: 'I decided to go to Kenya last year because my mum had been out doing the same programme in a more coastal area of the country since 2011.

'As I am currently on my gap year I thought it would be a really good experience where I could meet lots of new people while broadening my horizons by seeing how differently another part of the world lives.'

Harriet, a swim school instructor at Meadowlands Leisure Pool, added: 'It was really humbling to travel to Kenya for the Healthcare Outreach programme and it was very hard work, but I am pleased we were able to make a difference to the local community there.

'I hope future volunteers and workers there will continue to do so.'

1Life, which operates Meadowlands Leisure Pool in partnership with West Devon Borough Council, made a donation of 200 ice packs to the programme for treating fevers and swelling from injuries.

Ice packs that were unused at the health clinics were donated to the primary schools to use in their own first aid packs.

Jon Smith, contract manager for Meadowlands, said: 'I am very proud of Harriet for her hard work and we at the centre were very pleased to be able to support her in this endeavour.

'I'm sure that the Healthcare Outreach programme will continue to make a positive impact in Kenya and we are pleased to have been a part of this opportunity.'

Harriet plans to head to Tanzania in June, but instead of focusing on healthcare she will volunteer her time based around ecology and conservation as well as improving the environment for the local villagers.

'I will be there for two months, travelling back up to Kenya to finish my trip in the same camp we visited in November, before heading back home,' said Harriet, who will be going to Swansea in September to study history and American studies.