Making a date for african adventure

12:50pm today Friday 25th July 2008

Comments (7)   Have your say »

COLOURFUL calendars could help send school children on an African adventure.

Commonweal School has been linked to The Gambia for many years and pupils have made a number of trips there to experience African lives for themselves.

Another trip is planned for later this year.

But to go the pupils first need to raise cash to pay for the visit.

So a calendar has been produced and is now on sale.

It contains a series of drawings designed by Key Stage 3 children at the school.

The £5 calendar cost covers the £2 production costs.

The remaining £3 will enable the 21 students to take stationery and craft materials to schools in Gambia.

Student Lauren Martin, 14, said 75 calendars of 150 have been sold so far.

Her friend, Rosemary Maltezos, 14, has also been involved with the fundraising. They both hope to go on the visit in October with 19 other students.

“We started selling them at the end of June,” said Lauren. “So far we have £200 and need a total of £700.

“The best ones were picked for the calendar. We tried to make it with an African/Gambian theme with lots of bright colours.

“Every two years, Commonweal School travels to Gambia to work with schools. Twenty-one students are selected from interviews, so it is a big thing.

“Obviously we have done more fund raising outside of the campus. I have done fetes and raffling.”

It is hoped the trip will give pupils a better understanding of other cultures around the world.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, and am very excited about going in October,” said Lauren.

The calendar can be bought directly from the school. Call 01793 427717 for details.