TREATING small, undernourished children whose lives have been scarred by the horrors and tragedy of civil war, proved an unforgettable experience for Laura Davies.

The homoeopath student went to the Republic of Congo to help treat hundreds of people alongside full-time missionary and homoeopath Didi Ananda Sukrti, and she now hopes to return when qualified to continue the work.

Laura, 24, stayed in an orphanage in the capital Brazzaville with about 20 children, many of whom had been found wandering in the streets, in shock.

"A seven-year-old boy was the same size and weight as a three-year-old here," said Laura, who stayed a month, having raised enough funds to cover her expenses.

Laura was joined a week later by Sandra Cole, of Ulpha, Broughton-in-Furness; Mary Ullrich, of Skelsmergh; and Jayne Anderson, of Richmond.

Each day the group, all students at a Lakeland homoeopathic college, went to different villages and set up clinics under trees, seeing up to 70 people a day with the help of an interpreter.

"For homoeopathy there's a reason why people get an illness, and a lot of that was because of trauma," said Laura, admitting the experience had been challenging and humbling.

Sandra Cole, who described the trip as "both exhilarating and exhausting," added that many of the ailments were also a result of the deprivation, grief and physical discomfort.

Most of the people they saw had malaria, she said, while others experienced heart stress, high or low blood pressure, fainting, as well as eye and skin problems.

Recalling the "dire conditions" and extreme poverty, Sandra continued: "People are squatting in high-rise flats which have been shelled and have no facilities.

There are armed guards everywhere, and there was a real military feeling about the place.

They are so concerned about a war happening again, they are very sensitive to security.

But there was no sense of fear - we were perfectly safe there - and all the people we met were lovely."

Sandra explained that basic hygiene, nutrition and clean water should become a number one priority in the communities, along with health education.

She visited a hospital's children's ward during her stay, where youngsters lay in ancient cots in rooms with little lighting.

They were suffering many of the ailments she was treating in villages, and local doctors were interested to learn more of homoeopathic treatment as they were unable to get the necessary drugs.

"We hope through our experience other people will decide to go because they need more help out there," said Sandra, stressing that Didi Ananda Sukrti, of the London-based ABHA Light Foundation, needed more financial aid and volunteers.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a child in the Congo can contact Sandra on 01229-716551.