The inspirational dedication of Gemma Steel of South Uist has highlighted at the
Young Scot Awards.
The 22-year-old from Lochboisdale won the Unsung Hero awards for her work in Africa.
Gemma was just a teenager when she flew out to Kenya to volunteer in an orphanage.
When it closed due to financial reasons, Gemma, moved by love for the children, returned
to Uist and began to raise funds to build a new facility.
The new orphanage was completed in 2012 and is home to 24 young people.
Gemma has faced huge opposition and had to flee with the children after a group of
machete-wielding armed robbers raided the orphanage.
This did not stop Gemma and work on a new children's home is set to begin in September,
relocating the orphanage to a safer area.
The new building is being built in memory of her school friend Liam Aitchison who
was murdered in 2011.
Gemma juggles her life in Africa with being a student at Glasgow's Caledonian University
where she is studying occupational therapy.
Her friends and family say she is a true hero transforming lives in another part
of the world and inspiring young people here.
Louise Macdonald, chief executive of Young Scot, said: “Congratulations to all our
winners, we were truly humbled to join them and celebrate their outstanding achievements.
We live in a country of remarkable young people and the Awards has shown Scotland
how truly amazing our young Scots are. We should all be very proud of them and we’d
urge everyone to continue to help us challenge negative stereotypes we too often
hear and make sure they remain centre stage.
Young islander recognised for charity work 20/4/14