THE lives of Zulus, thousands of them, have been improved thanks to the work of one Lancaster woman, with a little bit of help from her army unit. Lancaster soldier Cheryl Martin, 22, has just returned from an historic, four-week trip to South Africa with her Territorial Army unit. The former Lancaster Girls' Grammar School pupil was in the reformed country for four weeks helping to build a community centre at the site of the famous battle of Rorke's Drift.

The unit was part of the first British detachment to return to the battle site, immortalised in the Michael Caine film 'Zulu', since 1879.

Cheryl, a Territorial Army Officer Cadet, said: "We came to build a community hall but ended up by building friendships.

"The arid climate here is very different to Lancaster. We started at 5.30am each day and didn't finish until sunset but it was worth it, not just for the sun but also for the breath-taking views of Zululand.

"It is so remote here that the natives do still literally live in mud huts and have absolutely no running water or electricity."

Cheryl was part of Project Scholastic Acorn, an ambitious plan which enabled cadets like her, supported by detachments from the Royal Engineers and the Royal Regiment of Wales, to raise more than £120,000 to build a community facility in the Shiyane Secondary School, just yards from the old battle site.

Moses Zulu, principal at the school, said: "Ever since the battles of Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift we have had enormous respect for the brave soldiers of the British Army.

"Now we have worked closely together to build a wonderful facility for all of the Zulu people. We owe these young men and women a great deal."

And Cheryl, who is studying for a degree in Civil Engineering added: "I found it very hard at first but there was a tremendous spirit of team-work and co-operation between us.

"The satisfaction of finishing such a fine building is enormous. I know that we have come here and made a difference to the quality of life of the community."

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