Some of Jersey's leading players took time out from their preparations for the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 4 to visit children affected by HIV/AIDS.

The visit was part of a school project devised by Ryan Driver and Andy Dewhurst, both school teachers, to educate children in Jersey on problems facing young people in other parts of the world.

The players visited Mitindo House, a NGO which tries to provide vulnerable Tanzanian children, with a better quality of life.

'We've come to the orphanage, which provides care for 10 children who have contracted HIV/AIDS at birth, to learn about how they are cared for,' said all-rounder Andy Dewhurst.

'It's a chance to get an insight to see how children cope with living with HIV.'

The players spent time talking to the children, playing games and entertaining them with a video camera.

They intend to show schoolchildren in Jersey footage that they took on the visit when they return home at the end of the tournament.

'I hope the children in Jersey when see they this appreciate what they have got. The children in Jersey are very fortunate – we don't have a HIV problem at all,' said Driver.

'At the orphanage, six children sleep in bunk beds in a very tiny room, while the houses in Jersey are very different.'

The International Cricket Council has worked with UNAIDS since 2003, to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, and the partnership has seen the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ricky Ponting and Graeme Smith provide their support to raise awareness and reduce stigma around the disease.

It is hoped that through the visit to the orphanage, on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam, the players can raise awareness of projects such as Mitindo House and bring help and support to those affected by HIV.

'We can definitely have a positive effect. Through things like the World Cricket League Division 4, we're going to places where HIV is a big problem,' said Dewhurst.

'For us to come here and try and help raise awareness of the disease through the media is an important thing to do.'