TV presenter Melinda Messenger has been honoured by the Malawi High Commission in London for her work with ActionAid helping Aids orphans in the southern African country.

The first celebrity to receive such an honour, Melinda travelled to Malawi in 2006. Malawi has half a million Aids orphans who endure the agony of caring for their dying parents, and, once orphaned have to provide for themselves as well as their brothers and sisters. With the adult population devastated, an impossible strain has been placed on the family and community systems that would traditionally look after the children.

Melinda met children at an ActionAid-funded village childcare centre who get the chance to learn, play and have a meal – often the only meal they will get all day. She also met children forced to live on the streets to earn a living for their families because their parents are too sick to care for them or have died leaving them to look after their siblings.

Since her visit Melinda has raised money to help build another childcare centre which will benefit a further 400 children.

"It's heartbreaking for a mother to think of children as young as my own fending for themselves. But ActionAid is working hard in places such as Lilongwe to give these children a future. I am thrilled to receive this honour and hope that I can continue to show my support and solidarity to the wonderful people of Malawi."

Melinda will be presented with her honour by Malawi High Commissioner His Excellency Dr Francis Moto at a Malawi Independence celebration tomorrow at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

ActionAid has worked in Malawi since 1990 and is working hard to provide safe and happy childhoods for these and other vulnerable children all around the world.