Selena walks with students from an early childhood development classroom Pictures: US Fund for UNICEF/Josh Estey/MataHati

Actress and singer Selena Gomez said she was both heartbroken and inspired by her trip to meet children living in extreme poverty in Nepal.

The former Disney star visited a school and communities in her role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Selena, 21, said: “This visit to Nepal was extraordinarily powerful – at times devastating and heartbreaking but also incredibly inspiring.

“At first when you witness children living in extreme poverty you wonder how it is possible that they can be deprived of their basic human needs and rights.

With early childhood education class at Satbariya Rapti Secondary

“Then you talk to these children and you see hope, promise and a bright future. This generation of children believes they can make a difference and they take action.

“It starts with quality education and leadership opportunities, like those UNICEF is providing.”

Selena visited the Satbariya Rapti Secondary School, which is supported by UNICEF to provide a safe and creative learning environment.

Having fun with kids at Satbariya Rapti Secondary School

She said: “It was amazing to learn from these young boys and girls about how they are influencing their peers as well as adults on issues that have an impact on their lives.

“Many of the children I talked to expressed a desire to be future leaders in their society, and I was moved to hear them emphasise the importance of education.”

Selena also visited several villages, where she met female health volunteers working to reduce deaths among children and mothers, and girls reintegrated into their communities after being recruited into the armed conflict that ended eight years ago.