Having a ball
Pupils raise £4,000 through dance in aid of Malawi trip
Pupils from Paisley raised more than £ 4,000 at their Love Malawi Ball.
The funds brought in by the Gleniffer High School youngsters will go towards refurbishing a fourclassroom block at Dzenza Primary School, Gleniffer’s partner school in the African country.
The refurbishment work, which will be completed in association with the Classrooms for Malawi organisation, will be undertaken this summer when a group of 32 pupils and four staff head off on a two-week expedition.
Teacher Sarah Aitken, who is heading the trip, said: “I am delighted that so many staff, parents and members of the community have come to the Love Malawi Ball and shown their support for our work in the country.
“A warm welcome goes to Enock Bamusi, chair of the Malawians in Scotland Association and a great friend of the school, who has taught us much about the language and culture of his home country.
“This was a real fun night with lots of dancing, music and games. I am very pleased that we have raised £4,000 for our upcoming building programme.”
The Love Malawi Ball, which was held at the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew, is the culmination of a two- year fundraising campaign by the Malawi 2018 Fundraising Committee.
Mrs Aitken added: “This is third expedition that the school has made to Malawi. In previous visits to the country, the school, in association with Classrooms for Malawi, has helped build nine new classrooms and a toilet block for girls.
“Gleniffer High School’s expedition is unique, in the sense that it is a two- year programme of personal development opportunities for the pupils.
“The youngsters are encouraged to be responsible for all the decisions It’s a glamorous one
made in the run up to, and on, the expedition.
“To support this development, we have worked extensively with Classrooms for Malawi and the Scotland Malawi Partnership and have made presentations to them about our progress.
“As we head off on our travels, we are looking forward to an amazing experience and to making a positive impact on the children of Dzenza.”
Headteacher Lisa Chalmers said that during her first year as
headteacher, she been heartened to learn about by the warm and close friendship that has been nurtured with Dzenza Primary School over many years.
She said: “The school has done so much to support education by improving the school facilities in one of the world’s poorest communities.
“As they fly off on this latest expedition, I wish them every success and look forward to them sharing their experiences with all of the school community on their return.”