Page 38 - link magazine

38 swindonlink.com • January 2013

Swindon’s Two ambassadors impressed by
easy to get to Swindon charity’s work to brighten up classrooms
domestic spares outlet Ambassadors from Zambia and Zimbabwe visited the town in November to discuss how the solar pow-
Spares & consumables for ered lighting system invented by Roger Mugridge from Cricklade is making an impact on education in
all your appliances their countries.
Vacuum cleaners: bags, filters, belts etc; On 17 November Zambian
washing machines; tumble dryers, High Commissioner Lt Colonel
dishwashers; cookers; ovens; hobs & Bizwayo Nkunika spent a day
hoods; small appliances & garden tools with Swindon Town Football in
Highly competitive prices, the Community, meeting Zam-
available online or direct from: bians who live in the town, and
Unit 83 Basepoint Business Centre taking in the STFC game against
Yeovil at the County Ground.
Rivermead Drive, Westlea
Swindon SN5 7EX (FREE PARKING As described in the Novem-
Telephone 01793 608844 ber Link a close community
email: [email protected] development relationship has
been created between Swindon Roger Mugridge showing the High Commissioner, centre, and members of the Swindon
and the Zambian city of Liv- Zambian community how bright his demonstration system is. Catherine Mulenga, centre
Janet’s ingstone where town coaches right, attended the first Lights for Learning presentation in Swindon organised by The
Link in 2002 which led to solar powered lights being installed into a large school she knew
Jon Holloway and Clive Ma-
Puppy guire have organised football of in Zambia. Photo: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com
“Lights for Learning has created a
Skool coaching courses and a league, and cultural and community contacts. real feel good factor; it’s a huge psy-
more recently developed football Find out more by contacting An-
Have fun teaching your dog for girls. drew Deuchar on 01793 854684 or chological boost for young people
good manners and behaviour From sport has come education [email protected] that they can have a better future
at one of our friendly classes links between Crowdy’s Hill special Earlier in November Zimbabwe locally and not have to think about
3 Playskool for puppies school and Livingstone High School. ambassador Gabriel Machinga, moving to the towns and cities.
3 Adult beginners/improvers The High Commissioner was also below, visited Roger in Cricklade “As a result, with a donation from
3 Senior Skool/advanced classes fascinated when Roger Mugridge to discuss further work by Lights the Rotary Club of Westminster a
3 One to one advice & training demonstrated his system for light- for Learning in his country. year ago, it has been possible to
3 Fun agility workshops ing classrooms and operating lap- The charity has established a purchase equipment and materials
www.janetspuppyskool.co.uk top computers in rural areas where close working relationship with to set up a facility to manufacture
APDT Member (01066) there is no regular electricity supply. the Zimbabwe education ministry furniture for schools in that region
Janet Garrett DipCAPBT Dip.dog.psy The STFC Swindon Zambia and solar powered lights have been of Zimbabwe.
Tel: 01793 727158 link is keen for more schools and installed in 11 schools and a youth “It’s a model I’m pushing for in
[email protected] neighourhood groups to be become training centre. other parts of my country where
involved in developing sporting, “Roger and I met a few years children in rural areas can learn for
ago,” said Mr Machinga. “What longer, and the youth and adults
started as a small meeting has can have learning and training op-
become a close friendship. portunities.
“Roger and his
volunteers make a
profound impact on
I’m a the communities they
visit because they en-
Thameswood gage with the people,
VIP district of Chikuku
particularly in my
“Unlike staff from
many NGOs who
drive in to do their
work then return to
Neutering Your Pet? city hotels, Lights for
Learning volunteers
Why not spread the cost over put up tents in the schools where “The Chikuku training centre is
they are installing lights, and they also making us rethink our human
12 months at a great discount? get locals involved in doing the resources policies so that we target
work themselves. education resources at both the high
January sees the launch “And it’s almost unheard of that achievers and also young people
of our neutering health club. first world aid workers sit down who need skills training. It means
and eat food with local people. It we can bring retired teachers and
So why not become a Thameswood VIP? makes a very important statement headteachers back into education
about sharing cultures through and provide opportunities for those
Visit our website or contact the clinic eating together.” who might turn to crime, which
Gabriel added that the lights becomes a drain on society through
for more information installed in the Chikuku youth the police and justice systems.”
training centre had given hope Lights for Learning is hoping that
62-64 Purton Road Open: to young people who have little the UK government will assist it
Swindon SN2 2LZ Monday to Friday chance of keeping up with coun- after meeting the Secretary of State
9am-6.30pm
terparts in areas of the country for International Development Alan
(end of Akers Way) Saturday served by mains electricity. “You Duncan on a visit to Nova Hreod
Tel: 01793 526780 9am-12noon cannot underestimate the impact School in October. See the Link story
of being able to study and to do at www.bit.ly/l4lduncan
www.thameswoodvets.co.uk further training when the sun has • Find out more at: www.lightsfor-
gone down. learning.org

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