Arundel pupils learn about African school

Pupils at Arundel CofE Primary School were visited by an education officer, who works with children in the district of Bo, Sierra Leone – a meeting that hit home with many of the children.

Edward Luseni spent the two days speaking to children at the school telling them how their acts of compassion – selling toys, baking cakes, and holding second-hand uniform sales, to support youngsters at the Mano Dasso school – had a huge impact.

Head teacher Andrew Simpson said the visit left a very poignant message with the youngsters.

“We have been linked with the school in Mano Dasso for three years and have helped buy students their uniforms out there.

“It may not seem like much but to put it in perspective a uniform for the children out there costs somewhere in the region of £5 – the average person in the country has to live off only £1 a day,” he said.

The pupils had a chance to read letters from their African counterparts to see just how their efforts were helping to transform the pupils’ lives.

The school, in Jarvis Road, works alongside the charity Education West Africa, which hasstrong links with the Diocese of Chichester.

Since joining the relief effort, in 2009, staff, parents and youngsters regularly raise about £600 each year – which is all put to good use buying much-needed furniture and educational equipment.

Mr Simpson added: “This is the third visit that we have had from someone Sierra Leone and the children are always really, really excited.

“They’re interested to learn just how different it is in Africa. It’s a world away from our school. There are normally 60 students to a single classroom. They haven’t got many chairs or tables and normally only have one blackboard.

“Edward spoke to the whole school, telling them how important education is and how valued it is in Sierra Leone.”

Mr Simpson said that Arundel hopes to send out a teacher out to the country next year.

He wished to thank Rod Sharman, a governor at the primary, and his wife Penelope for all their hard work.