While most school pupils were relaxing at home for the summer holidays, two sisters decided to give up their time and volunteer in South Africa.

After hearing of the plight of children who could not afford to buy shoes, let alone afford school, they decided they wanted to help out.

Aneeka Pabari, 16, and her sister Sarika, 15 of Kimberley Avenue, Seven Kings, spent two weeks rolling up their sleeves and helping others.

The siblings are now in the running for the monthly Exchange Ilford-sponsored Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award.

Aneeka said: “We helped refurbish a park for children as it was quite dangerous for them to play in.

“It was very run down and now it’s more inviting for the children to come and play.”

She said this was of particular importance as parents who could not afford to send their children to school.

They spent two weeks last month working on a playground in Gordon’s Bay just outside of Cape Town where they created murals and refurbished the playground.

Aneeka said: “We painted a big map of Africa on the floor and coloured in where South Africa was so that they knew, it’s fun but it’s also teaching them.

“We also painted the roundabouts and painted fish and different sea life. It was all educational.”

They also planted trees and taught the children how to look after them so that they learned about the environment and took pride in their playground.

Aneeka and her sister organised their trip through Global Vision International.