A Bingley Grammar School pupil has flown out to Africa to help build a school for deprived youngsters.

Beth Owen, 17, has swapped her comfortable home in Eldwick to spend three weeks in the poverty-stricken slum of Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya.

"It is like a dream come true," said Beth, who is studying A-levels and has ambitions to be a doctor in developing countries.

"It's something I've always wanted to do and I've always had a fascination with Africa. I'm extremely excited and a bit scared - I still can't believe it's happening."

Kibera is 2km square and densely populated with more than 400,000 inhabitants - and for every 3,000 people there are only 19 toilets and 15 water points.

"I know it's going to be very dirty and we've been warned the smell is the worst thing as there is sewage in the streets," she said.

The team of 25 aid workers - aged 16 to 60 who have been selected from across the country by London-based charity Soapbox - were also briefed about the health risks, especially as some of the children may have contracted AIDS.

"It is worrying but as long as we keep cuts covered and watch what we eat we should be OK," said Beth.

She has spent the past couple of months raising £1,325 to pay for her place on the mission.

"I've been painting fences, gardening and my friends at school helped me by washing people's cars," she said.

Beth is a regular at Bingley Baptist Church and members of the congregation have also made donations.

One of the conditions of the project is that the 25 team members leave behind their western luxuries.

"I won't be taking my mobile phone or radio and it will be strange not knowing what's going on at home," said Beth.

During her stay she will help renovate the children's school which has 100 pupils and run a children's club.

She has packed felt-tip pens, balls and skipping ropes in her suitcase after being moved by a training video of a boy playing with a wire and a tin can.

"He was pulling the tin can along and it was the only thing he had to play with - he will be fascinated when he sees the balls as they don't have any toys to play with," she said.

"I'm hoping I will really enjoy it as I'm planning to study medicine so I can work as a doctor in developing countries."

Her parents Jackie and Roger saw Beth fly from out Heathrow Airport.

Mum Jackie said: "We're very pleased and excited for her, and, of course, a bit worried when we think about it, but we're sure she'll have a great time and come back with some wonderful memories."