TEENAGERS hoping to be selected to take part in a trip to Ghana met with the youth worker who is making the African adventure a reality.

Parents and young people gathered at Burley-in-Wharfedale Youth Centre to hear how they could support a cultural visit to Ghana.

Philip Chilambe Kunda, above, has won a Millennium award of £10,000 to help his vision of an educational trip to Ghana come true.

Six young people, aged 13 to 18, will be lucky enough to win a place on the trip.

Mr Kunda, of Zambia, applied to the On The Line Project, run in conjunction with Channel Four, for funding after becoming involved with youngsters as part of a placement at the centre.

He was so impressed with the teenagers' interest in his own culture, it inspired him to enquire about funding for an educational exchange.

He said: "I decided to apply first and foremost because of the interest of the young people in what kind of lifestyle we have.

"The other thing is listening about other people's culture. I can also learn something from them. As a youth worker it is my responsibility to bridge the gap, in terms of understanding where other people come from."

After putting together an impressive application form, Mr Kunda was delighted to learn that he had scooped the award - especially as others had doubted that his project would ever get off the ground.

Mr Kunda, who now works at the centre as a volunteer, said: "It was fantastic news. It was very important to me. It was my dream and I put it into action."

The aim of the visit will be to live 'on the line' like Ghanaians to understand the similarities and differences in aspects of their culture and lifestyle, including health care, transport and schools.

The group will be taking part in a structured programme and fundraising before departure. It is also hoped that the wider community will gain something from the project - the first of its kind in West Yorkshire to receive On The Line funding. (34-19-AM)