IN celebration of Black History Month, the Chronicle spoke to a woman who is dedicating her life to helping children out of poverty.

Whilst growing up in Zimbabwe, Dorothy Dix, appreciated the importance of a good education.

Her single mother worked all hours to ensure that she went to a private girls Catholic school.

Without that foundation, Dorothy would never have gone on to study her International Baccalaureate in Norway or her degree in psychology and physiology at Reading University.

Now a mother-of-two, Dorothy wants to give back, and help orphans in Zimbabwe have the education every child deserves.

Dorothy said: "Setting up Creating Better Futures is realising my dream. In Zimbabwe education is not free and so many children are forced to take on the role of a parent because they have lost one or both to HIV or AIDS, so they don't have the money or the time to go to school because they have got to put food on the table.

"Without the education I had, I wouldn't be here in Reading today, and I want to help other children help themselves by giving them the tools they need for a good education."

Recently the charity, which is based at Beacontree Plaza, has helped build new toilets at a school in Africa.

Dorothy said: "This school had terrible toilet facilities, and children were having to use bushes. The older girls as well were so embarrassed about the situation that they wouldn't attend school.

"Fortunately we were able to raise enough to build a new toilet block ready for when they started school in September. Now attendance rate is back up, which is brilliant."

Dorothy is also a Rotarian of the Reading Matins Rotary Club and is thankful to the international programmes that supported her during her life in Africa.

She said: "I benefited so much from the health, sanitation and clean water projects Rotarians ran in Zimbabwe, that when I came over here I just had to be involved in the programmes.

"My mum, Beverley, who still lives in Zimbabwe is also a Rotarian. We're so thankful for everything they have ever done to help me."

On Saturday November 14, the organisation will be holding its annual 'Out of Africa' charity ball at the Hilton Hotel in Reading.

Now in its third year, the ball is a celebration of Africa, and will entertain guests with live African dancers and music, a three course meal and a charity auction.

Last year the ball raised £4520 to support the education and welfare of orphans in Zimbabwe.

Tickets are £50 per person or £450 for a table of ten.

For more information visit: http://www.creatingbetterfutures.org.uk/out-of-africa-charity-ball-2015