Rotary’s work is award-winning

In April, two local people were invited to the House of Lords to receive one of Rotary’s prestigious Champion of Change awards. I received an award for my dementia work in the local community and David Wallwork (Ramsey) was given an international award for his school in Sierra Leone.

David, daughter Catherine, wife Janet, Michael Houlden, and three Ramsey Rotarians recently visited The David School. Currently there are 10 classes with 379 pupils, including more than 100 secondary students.

The school goes from strength to strength thanks to David and support from Rotary - so many stories to tell.

Blind ex-pupil Isata Bangura, is making excellent progress in the prestigious mainstream Freetown Secondary School for Girls.

Peterborough Minster Rotarians sent a Dictaphone for her to record lessons and a typewriter for her to type up her lesson notes when she gets back to The Milton Mar- gai School for the Blind, where she lodges.

Amazingly Isata types by feel.

Minster Rotarians also fund her living expenses - clothes, lunches, braille paper and other materials.

A Rotarian from Liverpool sent her a braille machine.

Thanks to these Rotarians Isata is a happy, independent young woman instead of being forced to beg or being totally dependent on others in the community.

English is the official language in Sierra Leone so a reading programme was introduced based on Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

David took chocolate spread for the children to taste.

Rotarians Maggie and David, both retired teachers, helped with lessons during their stay.

Futbol produces virtually indestructible footballs capable of withstanding the roughest terrain.

The David School Trust took advantage of the One World Futbol “buy one get one free” project supporting disadvantaged communities around the world.

It remains to be seen whether the balls will with- stand conditions in Sierra Leone!

Donated sewing machines were shipped out and are being used to make school uniforms and clothes for the adults.

During their stay Janet and Sylvia taught more adults to use the machines.

Sports Day is a big event, involving all pupils and staff, and attended by families and friends.

Medals were kindly provided by Chroma Sports & Trophies, Peterborough.

During David’s visit, pupils were tested for parasites transmitted by mosquitoes (elephantiasis and river blindness), luckily all were negative.

Many were apprehensive about having a blood test.

But the reward of a packet of biscuits was extremely popular!

Congratulations to David and Rotary.