A young woman from Ayrshire is to help families in West Africa's most poverty stricken countries.

Courtney Gemmell will spend three months in one of the world's most deprived countries to realise her ambition of helping others.

The 20-year-old has signed up for the volunteering expedition in Burkina Faso where she'll be tackling hard hitting issues such as HIV, youth unemployment and the human rights of disabled citizens.

Ms Gemmell is about to complete an 18-month post as a Youth Work Modern Apprentice (MA) at North Ayrshire Council.

She said: "During my apprenticeship I've experienced and accomplished much more than I ever imaged and the introduction of the Mental Health Toolkit was the pinnacle moment.

"But I feel as though I've done so much in North Ayrshire that I'm now ready to go out there and inspire change on a much bigger scale."

Ms Gemmell is hoping to raise £800 which she'll put to good use in the communities she visits.

She added: "Burkina Faso is one of the world's most deprived countries where poverty and inequality is accepted as part and parcel of everyday life. There's so much scope for change and that's exactly what I hope to achieve.

"I'm going to be working with women, young people and the disabled on all-things education, health and wellbeing, employment and human rights.

"I'm under no doubts that the experience will shock, scare and possibly change me as a person, but I also know that it will be hugely rewarding."