Page 13 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 13

Students step up big fundraising drive for South Africa expedition
In October nine Greendown Community School pupils with several teachers will make a ground breaking trip to visit their South African
partner school – Moriting Wa Thuto Senior Secondary School, Clarens in the Free State.
Back in July 2005 two pupils and ‘What would you do if you Sadie Tuttle successfully com- set up a car valet service which is
teachers from Moriting Wa Thuto needed the toilet in the night whilst pleted. “We then had to create a doing well as teachers’ cars always
visited Greendown. A year later staying with a host family?’ was presentation to impress a panel of need cleaning.”
the school governors supported a just one of the questions on the five that we knew about the values Many more fundraising projects
pupil request that a group form student application form which 14 of global school partnerships and are planned said Charlotte Hall.
Greendown should make a visit to year old exchange group member where we could see ours going in “Over the next few months we’ll
Clarens. the future,” she said. be looking to everyone in West
Nine have been selected for this Natalie Irving said applicants Swindon for all the help we can
first student exchange in October. had to work for their place. “We get. We’re also going to be making
The flights have been booked and were not invited to go to South presentations to the big compa-
work plans are in place. All that is Africa. We had to show that we nies in the town. Hopefully they
needed now is the money to pay understood why our schools are will back us.”
for the experience. Raising £15,000 partners. Each of us had to make a Watch out for imaginative cash
is one of the more daunting of the PowerPoint presentation or generating ideas and be ready to
challenges the group faces. speech to persuade the panel that support the group.
we were ready to take on the re-
Seven of the nine pupils destined for sponsibilities of representing
South Africa demonstrating some of their Greendown and Swindon.”
fundraising ideas. Back Sadie Tuttle and The exchange group have
Laura Dunham, Sian Gannon. Centre started to raise the large amount
Kate Birch and Jessica Price. Front, of money needed to fund the trip GUARANTEED TO SAVE YOU
Natalie Irving and Denielle Govender. to Clarens and back. MONEY TIME AND EFFORT
Not pictured, Jessie Howard, Char- Sian Gannon said, “all nine of Do you hate buying cars?
lotte Hall
us completed a ‘Double Your Do you worry you’re not getting the
Money’ challenge over the Christ- best discount, deal or finance rate?
Link helps light up a school mas holidays. Our group leader, Women, do you feel patrionised
Ms Bennett, gave each of us £10 and confused by jargon?
in Zambia which we had to double by the end Why not use my expertise
of January. We all ‘invested’ so to get an expert deal?
A public meeting organised by well that by 31 January £90 had
The Link in July 2004 has resulted been turned into £700.” Tel: 01793 845153
in hundreds of children at a board- Kate Birch continued, “our fair- Mobile: 07703 162196
ing school in a remote part of trade café for teachers raised over Email: [email protected]
Zambia being able to study after £200 and some of the group have Web: www.negotiamate.co.uk
the sun goes down.
We were the first media to pub-
licise a fantastically simple solar
powered lighting system invented Abbey Meads Village
by Roger Mugridge from
Cricklade. At the meeting when Centre Elstree Way
Roger demonstrated his lights,
Catherine Mulenga from Shaw
approached him about a school SPRING
without electricity in her home vil-
lage of Twingi. SPECIAL FOR TWO
Roger and his wife Jean had in- Roger Mugridge shows Catherine Available from 12th March to 7th May
stalled prototypes in homes in Mulenga his demonstration solar pow-
Kenya, but a school was a chal- ered kit. Catherine holds an open wick Quarter Aromatic OR Sweet & Sour Ribs,
paraffin light used widely in Africa
lenge he could not refuse. Crispy Duck Crispy Seaweed, Mini
In November Roger, Jean and volunteers paid their own travel Vegetable Spring Rolls
five volunteers made the trip to costs.
light up Twingi. In 8 days they Roger said the Zambian govern- Sweet & Sour Chicken OR Shredded Chilli
fitted 380 bulbs in 42 buildings, ment is enthusiastic about his in- Hong Kong Style Beef
including classrooms and dormi- vention and discussing how all vil-
tories, all lit by solar panels charg- lage schools could be fitted with Roast Pork with Ginger & Spring Onions
ing up car batteries. similar lighting systems. Chicken with Green Peppers in Black Bean Sauce
“It was a moving experience to A full version of this story can be Egg Fried Rice, Prawn Crackers & Fortune Cookies
see the children realising they found at www.swindonlink.com
could read in decent light at night,” £17.88
said Roger. “In the past they were Working for a future in Licenced to sell and deliver wine and beer
lucky to have lanterns or candles, Uganda
usually it’s an open flame. Now Joyce Eribu, a nurse working for a ★ Tel: 01793 703388 ★
they can see clearly. One boy said Christian Aid partner project will be
‘I don’t miss words anymore.’ talking about a project caring for OPEN: Sun - Thur 4.45pm - 11.15pm; Fri & Sat 4.45pm - 11.45pm
“The school has changed its HIV/AIDs sufferers and their fami- Last orders for delivery 15 minutes before closing time
timetable and has started evening lies in Uganda on Tuesday 20
classes for adults.” March, 7.30pm at St Paul’s Church,
The congregation at the United Covingham.
Reform Church in Drove Road The Bishop of Swindon Rev Lee
donated £3,500 to the project which Rayfield will chair the meeting.
was matched by International Light refreshments will be served
Power. Lights for Learning also and all are welcome. For details
raised £1,000 for Twingi and the call Helen Thomas on 534404.

1 March 07 13 16/2/07, 9:43 am