Children at an orphanage in one of Africa's most popular tourist destinations are living more healthily and happily, thanks to the efforts of a Monmouth husband and wife.

Phil and Chris Banks travelled to Mombasa, Kenya in 2006 for their first safari and beach holiday. But a visit to the Shanzu Good Hope Children's Centre was to prove a life-changing event.

The centre, a privately funded, non-profit making organisation established to try to help local orphans and abandoned children, is a popular stop-off on day trips by many visiting tourists.

"It soon became obvious that our carrier bag of Woolies' sweets from Britain was totally inadequate," said Phil, a self-employed gardener who was born,and has lived all his life, in Monmouth.

"So we stocked up on provisions, including sacks of flour, maize and sugar, exercise books, pencils, Kenyan sweets, an enormous box of biscuits and lots of washing powder."

"It was a truly moving experience to discover that giving so little could bring so much joy into the lives of the children, not to mention the dedicated staff.

"We don't have a family as, unfortunately, we lost our only child more than 20 years ago," said Phil. "It has taken us this long to remotely come to terms with the loss.

"Now, the children have become a sort of alternative family for us."

Local fundraising campaigns have seen the Banks' present the Shanzu centre with a motorbike, which the orphanage uses as a taxi.