Pennies for Change appeal

COOKHAM: A cause supporting youngsters in Ethiopia is asking for ‘pennies for change’ to help those in need.

Partners for Change Ethiopia (PFC) is a UK cause helping communities in need.

It is a partnership of two agencies, PFC and the Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organisation in Ethiopia.

Together they provide various projects such as breakfast clubs in Ethiopian schools and small business training for mothers.

This year, it is running the ‘pennies for change’ campaign which encourages people to give up their pennies for Lent, which finishes on Thursday, April 6.

The charity is raising money to fund the breakfast club at Basso Primary School in Debre Birhan in Ethiopia.

This will prevent the most disadvantaged children from going to school on an empty stomach.

It will also mean that their parents or carers will be offered small business training.

The fundraiser encourages schools, families, businesses and Scout groups to take part, and all are welcome to explore creative ways of saving up their pennies, such as seeing how many

20p coins fit in a Smarties tube.

The idea was originally invented by schoolchildren Arthur and Ava Knight, from Cookham.

All the money raised from ‘pennies for change’, will go to the Ethiopian partner and they will then use people and specialists on the ground to train the women and teachers in Ethiopia.

Sarah Parfitt, PFC trustee, said: “It’s very much about Ethiopian specialists and teachers helping people in need. We just support with the funding.”

Holy Trinity School in Cookham is currently participating in the fundraiser.

Sarah wants to encourage more schools to sign up as the charity is also looking to expand their youth ambassadors.

She can be contacted via email at sarah_parfitt@ mail.com by any school, business or group wishing to take part in the event.

For more information on the project and taking part, visit pfcethiopia.org