Tenby’s Victoria Walters has arrived safe and sound in Africa and is beginning her work with young people who have learning disabilities.

Twenty-three-year-old Victoria, who has Down’s Syndrome, has been given the opportunity to visit Lesotho with the Hijinx Theatre Company to work with the communities of young people both with and without learning disabilities.

“In countries like Lesotho, people like me are completely cut off from society and are rarely seen out in public. Children who have a learning disability are abandoned by their families, and left to grow up in orphanages with little experience of the world outside,” said Victoria recently.

“I want to challenge people’s ideas of what people with learning disabilities can do, and raise the aspirations of young learning disabled people everywhere.”

Day one of their work in Lesotho saw the Hijinx team meet the students from Machabeng College, while the following day Victoria and her fellow actors went to an orphanage.

They had prepared a song for their arrival, the group also led two workshops totalling 50 children

“Thanks to you, this is now happening,” says Victoria. “Thanks to donations, I was able to raise over £1,500, exceeding my target of £1,000!”

She continued: “While in Lesotho, we’ll be creating and performing a piece of theatre touring to communities all over the country. We’ll be creating the work with the help of schools and young people with and without learning disabilities.

“I’ll be keeping everyone up-to-date with what we’re doing. Myself and my fellow actors will be posting video blogs on our activities while we’re there.

“Keep up to date with our adventures at www.youtube.com/Hijinxtheatrecompany and https://www.facebook.com/hijinxtheatre/”

Victoria’s trip to Africa runs until February 25.