At 18, Phil Stephenson, who attends St Matthew's Church in Lightcliffe, is the youngest person from his church's to visit its link parish in Mara, Tanzania.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the church's most successful link project.

Next week Phil will join a 12-strong team on a three-week trip to the African parish.

He will build links with young people and learn more about their day-to-day lives, their hopes and dreams, to make a film about Mara.

Phil, from Hipperholme, said: "This is not just about taking footballs and books – though my bag is so packed full of these that there's no room for clean clothes – I want to see how religion works out there for young people and look at what is available for the youth."

He hopes the trip could be the start of a link between Nyamatare Secondary School and Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School, which he left last summer.

He is exploring ideas through the school's faith group, which he still helps to run, and in assemblies.

He hopes to set up a penpal system with young people in Nyamatare.

Hipperholme and Lightcliffe head teacher Karen Mort said: "We sincerely hope we can build on any relationships that Phil can establish while he is over there and are really looking forward to it."

Phil, who is a leader at Lightcliffe scouts and works as an activities instructor for schools and youth groups, says his priorities have changed.

He was going to study film at university, but has now decided to do a course related to youth or outdoor education work.

"I have been working with troubled young people on a local outdoor pursuits project and it's just struck a chord, it's a real challenge but it's also really rewarding.

"It's made me think about things in a different way. I know I will want to do more in Mara," he said.

"Everything I have been told about Tanzania is that once you get there you will never want to leave, and if you do leave you just want to go back. I am very excited about the whole trip."