THE work of a charity which helps disadvantaged black people at home and abroad was celebrated today.

Afica Foundation Stone (AFS), based at Paradox House in Ching Way, Chingford, helps young people of African heritage and their parents deal with issues around underachievement and employment and runs homework clubs and a football academy.

At the centre today, the minister for international development, Gareth Thomas MP, was due to attend to recognise the work the charity does sending volunteers overseas, but cancelled due to heavy traffic.

But founder and CEO of AFS, Valentin Molisho Djema, was joined by Waltham Forest Mayor Anna Mbachu and Congalese high commissioners to give speeches and present certificates of achievements foundation's youths.

Headteacher of Downsell Primary School, in Downsell School, Leyton, told guests her school was failing when she joined seven years ago until a partnership was made with AFS.

She said: “Mr Molisho Djema said we should look at the black children because they were under achieving, which was a national issue. We started on a very elementary basis but it has grown from there. We run Saturday schools now, which parents are pleased about.

“In my school there is no differenciation between black and other children and our black children sometimes achieve better compared to others.”

Chair of AFS, Jeremie Alamazani, explained that the idea behind the organisation was for Africans in the UK to give back to the community “to add value to people's lives”, and to take their expertise to benefit people in Africa.

Many volunteers from Waltham Forest have been sent by AFS, in partnership with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and the Department for International Development (DFID), to teach 'street kids' in Africa much-needed skills to get them into school or work, or to help their development through sport.

Mayor Cllr Mbachu said: “I am pleased we have an organisation like this in Waltham Forest because the borough is a place where community cohesion is encouraged by the council and other groups.

“It is important to be committed to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged people in the UK and overseas.”