TWO Glasgow apprentices are jetting off to Africa to help children orphaned by Aids.

Scott Humpherson, 18, and Johan Macdonald, 23, were picked from more than 200 other BT apprentices to complete a trip to Kenya which will see them conquer a mountain and play football with Masai warriors.

Part of the challenge will be to help complete a school for impoverished children.

Education in the African country is free only until the age of 12 so parents are often forced to take their child out of school and send them to work. Aids also means many parents die young, leaving their children behind to fend for themselves.

Scott and Johan, who are based at the company's offices in Pitt Street will be heading out for nine days on February 23.

Second year apprentice planner Scott said: "At school kids are taught basic learning and are fed at lunchtime which can often be their only meal.

"Our objective is to rebuild a vocational learning centre where kids too poor for maths and English lessons will be able to learn life skills."

But the pair, who work for BT Openreach, believe the biggest test will be climbing Mount Kasigau - 1000ft higher than Ben Nevis.

Scott, from Bishopbriggs, said: "I was over the moon to be chosen but I was quite nervous as it's something I never imagined doing.

"Climbing Mount Kasigau will be a huge physical test but I'm going to the gym every other day."

Only 31 other apprentices were chosen to take part from across the UK and only two other Scots.

Johan, an apprentice engineer who lives in Charing Cross, said: "It will be an incredible experience to help the children but I'm not so sure about climbing the mountain.

"I'm proud, though, of the money we've raised for the children."

A keen amateur footballer, Scott, 18, encouraged Rangers to donate 20 football tops and two signed footballs.

He hopes to donate the kit along with £600 he has raised to help pay for hot meals for schoolchildren in the village of Voi.

The team of 32 young apprentices will be adding the finishing touches to the school building with new doors, windows and fresh paint before challenging Masai warriors to a game of football.

Scott added: "I never imagined I would even play football in another country, never mind in Africa against Masai warriors.

"This really will be the trip of a lifetime."