A big-hearted engineer is using his skills to draw up designs and build homes for African children orphaned by HIV.
Tom Phillips, 25, from Broughty Ferry, is visiting Kenya to help build family homes for an orphanage with 16 young boys and for a Kenyan family with albino children.
The Network Rail engineer will join three other engineers from the group on the trip in October, having already designed blueprints for the buildings.
The mission will see Tom and his band of volunteers lay 10,000 bricks and eventually build two large 25ft x 40ft homes.
The group has just 12 days to get the buildings up and children moved in.
Tom said: “I didn’t expect to be doing this but I feel very fortunate that I am.
“My friend was involved in charity work and initially asked me to draw up blueprints for the buildings.
“He then asked me to go out and help with the build.
“It’s the first time I’ve been involved this much with charity, but I’m just happy that I can use my skills to help people.
“We have 10,000 bricks to lay and the buildings are going to be 25ft x 40ft.
“There’s always apprehension because we only have 12 days to do it, but I have every confidence that we will get it done.
“We want to give these people things that we have to come to expect from life in the UK.”
Tom and his fellow engineers will join more than 20 other volunteers from all over Scotland to take part in the campaign.
Though admitting to feeling a little nervous, Tom’s desire to help people less fortunate than himself allowed him to commit to the cause very quickly.
He said: “My friend involved with the charity explained what these people had to deal with and I knew I had to help.
“I feel lucky that I am able to go out in October to help.
“I want to be able to give the children a safe place where they can study and improve their education.
“They should have things like showers and places to wash, and that’s what we will give them.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail praised the efforts of their staff and wished them luck on their journey.
She said: “This housing project will positively impact the lives of those who have been disadvantaged through no fault of their own and we would like to wish the team the very best of luck on this admirable and commendable cause.”