Page 2 - link magazine

Taiwan - Swindon - 4 countries in Africa
Thanks to an offer from the government of Taiwan to North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, with assistance
from Swindon based charity Lights for Learning and The Link magazine, hundreds of young people and teach-
ers in several African countries will have light to return home after school.
Recruiting billet families The ambassador of Taiwan Dr a prototype with children on a
Lynshen Shen will present Justin three week trip to Zimbabwe in
Swindon Wildcats and Okanagan with 200 hand held solar powered May. “They also found it really
Hockey Academy UK begins its lighting units carrying the flags of useful for studying after dark; 3
second year in September, offering Taiwan and the United Kingdom or 4 would cluster around a table
high quality ice hockey training at and the words ‘Love from Taiwan’ to work together. The unit has an
Link Centre and academic study at
Lydiard Park Academy to young on behalf of Lights for Learning impressive battery life; it worked
players from Britain and the EU. when he visits the town to meet for several hours a night for eight
This high level programme focuses business leaders on 29 July days before recharging.”
on positive personal growth through Justin explained he had at- Roger has plans to send the
education, athletics and citizenship. tended a meeting with Taiwanese lights to schools in Gambia, Zim-
Host families in West and North parliamentarians last year where babwe, Zambia, and to Bukina
Swindon, Central, Lydiard Millicent, they talked about community Faso through another charity
Royal Wootton Bassett & Wroughton work in Africa and showed off the working in the country.
are needed to provide male athletes hand held solar powered lights. Roger of Lights for Learning and a handheld • Gambia visitor at Peatmoor
aged 13 to 16 years, with a “I immediately told them about solar charged light Primary School - page 35
home-from-home. Lights for Learning and the Taiwanese themselves. It means children can
All transportation is provided by said they would be interested in sup- study after the sun has gone down.
the academy and host families will porting them. I contacted The Link “But where there is no electricity
receive £350 per month to cover who liaised with the charity who came there are no street lights, so going to
day-to-day living expenses.
back with a really positive response.” the toilet block, or walking several
To find out more about opening your Lights for Learning founder Roger miles along rough tracks or roads to
home to a player and becoming part Mugridge said the handheld units get home is dangerous. Children often Discover more about Swindon’s twin
of this exciting opportunity, please would be a tremendous benefit to hurt themselves falling into pot holes town link with Ocotal in Nicaragua
contact Karen Black, OHA office
manager, on 01793 886857 or mail: children and teachers. “Our volun- and run the risk of being attacked by at the SOL Annual General Meeting
[email protected] teers fit solar powered lights to schools wild animals. The handheld lights on Thursday 5 September, 7.30pm,
www.hockeyschools.co.uk without electricity across Africa and could be life savers.” Lower Shaw Farm, SN5 5PJ.
teach local people how to do the job Roger added that he had tested www.solswindon.co.uk

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2 swindonlink.com • August 2013

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