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Special Christmas messages shared between Bambisanani Founding Schools

There  is a very special connection between St. Mary’s School, Menston in the UK and Mnyakanya School from South Africa. For the past 19 years the two schools have pioneered ways of ‘working together and learning together’ for the benefit of both communities that have gained international acclaim.

Please see the messages and videos below that highlight this very special relationship. The St. Mary’s video message is read by Chris Jose who visited South Africa this year and the Mnyakanya message is read by Bayanda Gcaba who visited Leeds last year.


Dear Friends at St. Mary’s Menston,

Warm greetings from the sun-kissed playgrounds of Mnyakanya High School in Kwa Zulu Natal. 

This Christmas, we want to thank you for the countless moments of shared learning, laughter and cultural exchange that have brightened our classrooms school over the past 20 years. From shared art projects that side by side have decorated our school and community with Leeds’ iconic skyline and South African sunrises, to the spirited sports and music that we have shared that remind us how small our world truly is when curiosity leads the way.

May the holiday season bring you peace, comfort and a touch of South African sunshine to warm the chilly December evenings. We hope the festive lights twinkle as brightly as the stars and that every bite of mince pie is accompanied by the sweet taste of our shared memories.

Here's to another 20 years of friendship, discovery and crossing oceans.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a happy New Year and a 2026 that is filled with success, health and countless reasons to smile.

Warm regards

The Mnyakanya community 

Kwa Zulu Natal

South Africa


 Dear friends.

As this wonderful time of year approaches once again our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you, your families and the whole school community and that of Thembimfundo Special School.

We give thanks for the 20 years of partnership, fellowship, learning and shared faith that we have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy with a united resolve to move into the new year with even more enthusiasm and determination.

May the Holy Family watch over this family and shower you with many blessings.

Happy Advent. Happy Christmas. Happy New Year.

With love from all at St Mary’s, Menston.


 
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Faith in the Bambisanani Partnership

It is 19 years ago since David Geldart proposed an ambitious partnership ‘of mutual benefit and shared responsibility’ between St. Mary’s School. Menston and Mnyakanya School from one of the most challenging regions of KwaZul-Natal in South Africa.

Using the power of sport and education this pioneering collaborative known as The Bambisanani Partnership (Bambisanani being the Zulu word meaning ‘working hand’) has grown to now include more than 60 schools, colleges and universities in both countries. Since 2006 no less than 34,000 young people have engaged in the partnerships various projects and programmes. The Bambisanani story with its remarkable impact has been highlighted at international conferences throughout the world including at the Sport for All Summit at the Vatican and in Greece for the International Olympic Association. The very special relationship between St. Mary’s and Mnyakanya remains at the heart of partnership.

 

Margaret Hattersley, Headteacher from St. Mary’s and the Bambisanani Partnership, Vice Chair said:

Margaret Hattersley

‘The Bambisanani Partnership sits at the heart of life at St Mary’s, Menston and has done over the last 19 years. Our school’s Mission recognises that the journey towards human flourishing, self-discovery and personal growth takes time and exposure to unique opportunities to draw out our many God-given gifts and talents. Since the formation of the Bambisanani Partnership, so many St Mary’s students and staff have travelled to South Africa as part of the partnership which has contributed to this sense of common mission and purpose. The experiences and international connections have enabled our young people to see the world beyond our school grounds, strengthen their leadership skills, and shape them as an individual so they can contribute to the common good of society and the beauty of the world. The friendships forged, ‘working hand in hand’, have inspired our young people at St Mary’s and in South Africa in so many different ways. For some it has inspired their future career choices, for others it has created lasting friendships across nations and for others it has sparked a charitable initiative. Whatever the personal or community impact, the partnership is deeply valued and cherished by us all as it changes lives for the better and reminds us that we are all in communion with each other whatever our background or personal story. At St Mary’s, we often reflect on the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. The Bambisanani Partnership truly does enable this to happen through the power of sport and human connectivity.’

Dr. Poppy Bhengu

Dr. Poppy Bhengu, Bambisanani Volunteer from South Africa added:

One of the most beautiful outcomes of this partnership is the way it brings to life the principle of Ubuntu, “I am because we are.” While South Africans often speak of Ubuntu, this partnership shows it in action. It is humbling to witness schools in the UK rally behind South African children, not only by providing resources, but by standing in solidarity with them. Their actions reflect Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”

Our faith teaches us that love is not merely a spoken word; it is demonstrated through compassion, generosity, and action. The Bambisanani Partnership embodies this truth. It shows our children, and our communities, that we are not forgotten, that God’s love can be seen and felt through the kindness of others. It reassures us that while we may not always understand God’s plan, He often uses people, even from across oceans, to bring healing, encouragement, and light.

In the small acts of kindness, in the shared games on dusty fields, in the heartfelt moments of connection between strangers, the message is clear: God lives, God cares, and we are all His instruments. The Bambisanani Partnership, for us, is not only a partnership between nations, but also a partnership grounded in the spirit of Christ, where love is made visible.”

With its 20th anniversary nearing, this small charity’s team of over 80 volunteers is dedicated to expanding opportunities for young people from both countries to collaborate and learn together in the ubuntu spirit of solidarity and shared humanity. The charity brings together people of different nations, background, colour, and creed, they all bring belief and faith through actions in a shared mission to make the world a better place. This powerful and harmonious collective is making a real difference in the most challenging of circumstances.

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Three memorable Bambisanani Partnership volunteering visits to South Africa in 2025

This year has seen 35 students and 10 members of staff, from St. Mary’s School, Menston; The University of Leeds and Newcastle College volunteer in South Africa as part of the Bambisanani Partnership. Over a three-month period, they delivered a range of needs led Bambisanani projects and programmes to 3,679 young people in 32 different schools including 7 schools that were completely new to the initiative. With the objective to: ‘To use sport & education to inspire, engage and develop young people and communities in both countries’ the visits have been a remarkable success in terms of both purpose and impact.

Each visit brought different strengths, fresh ideas and measurable impact to local schools and community projects, while giving both UK and South African students volunteers a hands-on, experience of cross-cultural learning.

St. Mary’s School: festival-style athletics and community learning

St. Mary’s returned to the Nkandla region with a group of student leaders and staff who organised the Bambisanani Schools’ International Athletics Challenge and community sports festivals. The St. Mary’s team led athletics events for multiple local primary schools, delivering coaching, officiating and leadership opportunities that engaged hundreds of young South African pupils. Beyond sport, the group ran literacy and early-years activities—visiting daycare centres and supporting reading sessions— bringing classroom skills into the community and reinforcing the Partnership’s “learning through sport” ethos. The visit was described as purposeful and hugely motivating for both visitors and hosts.

University of Leeds: cycling, girls’ programmes and award-winning delivery

The University of Leeds volunteer team built on several years of collaboration, focusing this year on cycling development and targeted programmes for girls. Their work linked into the Partnership’s emerging cycling hub initiatives — coaching local cycling sessions, supporting skill-building and discussing sustainability for future hubs — while also delivering leadership training and school-based sport sessions. The Leeds team’s impact was also recognised back home: their work with Bambisanani and the student volunteering programme (Gryphons Abroad) has been singled out in university awards and Partnership praise, underlining the quality and longevity of the Leeds–Bambisanani link.

Newcastle (Newcastle College): three weeks of sustained support and skills exchange

A group of students and staff from Newcastle completed a three-week placement in rural KwaZulu-Natal, part of their annual volunteering programme with the Partnership. Their visit combined sports coaching, classroom support and community outreach — from running inclusive coaching sessions and sports festivals to supporting literacy activities and mentoring local student leaders. Newcastle’s programme emphasised sustained presence: three weeks allowed relationships to develop, practical skills to be embedded, and local partners to co-design sessions that met immediate needs while planning for longer-term follow-up. The college reported that students returned inspired, better equipped for future careers and committed to ongoing fundraising and support.

I have nothing but praise and admiration for the remarkable staff and students from St. Mary’s, University of Leeds, Newcastle College and all our partners in South Africa. Our needs led programmes in South Africa are making a real difference in the communities in which we work. Young people from both countries are working together and learning together in the most meaningful way. This is extremely difficult and challenging work but our team continues to respond providing the most powerful educational opportunities. Their commitment and enthusiasm know no bounds as all three institutions are now well underway in planning their 2026 visits to South Africa which will mark the 20th Anniversary of the partnership.
— David Geldart Partnership Founder and CEO

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A Life-Changing Journey: My Experiences in South Africa

An article by Leona Vaduthala

Leona in South Africa

In July 2025, I travelled to South Africa through the Bambisanani Partnership - a visit that began as a volunteering opportunity but changed into something far deeper and personal. It became a journey of self-discovery, reshaping the way I saw both the world and myself.

I was quite nervous when I started off. The enormity of what I was going to be a part of hit me as soon as I arrived in Eshowe. However, with each passing day, my confidence grew, which reflected not just in how I felt, but in how I engaged with the activities and people around me.

Having started with St. Mary’s Menston and Mnyakanya High School over 19 years ago, the Bambisanani Partnership today includes more than 50 educational institutes from primary schools through to universities. As a Sixth Form student at St. Mary’s, I was fortunate enough to be part of this partnership which is built on a simple yet powerful principle: to work together and learn together. During my time in South Africa, this aim wasn’t just met - it was exceeded. We became more than a team; we became a family. We supported one another, shared stories and grew together. From learning Zulu and traditional African dances to teaching sport and academic lessons, every moment was a chance to learn something new.

Throughout the journey, I saw the core values of the partnership come to life: faithfulness in our commitment to each other; humility in learning from those around us; integrity in how we represented ourselves and our schools; forgiveness when things didn’t go perfectly; solidarity with the communities we served; dignity in every interaction; service in every task we undertook; and, respect for every person we met. These values weren’t just words - they were lived, felt, and shared in every moment of the visit.

What struck me most was the unwavering warmth and joy of the people I met. Regardless of their personal circumstances, every person greeted us with a radiant smile. It taught me something profound: happiness isn’t about possessions, but how you choose to present yourself in the world. Since returning home, I’ve tried to carry that same spirit with me, always leading with a smile.

Another important lesson came through sport. Despite the language barrier, sport became our shared language; as a way to connect, communicate, and collaborate. It reminded me that meaningful relationships don’t always require words. Determination, teamwork, and mutual respect can bridge even the widest gaps.

Nelson Mandela once said:

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”

I saw this truth unfold before my eyes. Sport became a bridge - uniting us across cultures, languages, and backgrounds. It gave us hope, joy, and a sense of shared purpose.

One of the most unforgettable moments for me was at Thembimfundo Special School. I was leading a conga line when the students began singing and dancing. I did my best to match their infectious energy, and in that moment - surrounded by music, movement, and pure joy - I felt completely alive. It remains one of my favourite memories from the visit.

My time at Mynkanya High School was especially meaningful. From the moment I stepped into the courtyard, I felt an instant connection with the students. I hoped to make a difference, but I never expected the overwhelming gratitude I received. The thoughtful gifts and emotional goodbyes showed me just how deeply we had impacted each other. The friendships I formed there are ones I truly treasure and will deeply miss.

Beyond volunteering, every shared experience with the Bambisanani team added to the magic. From the breathtaking safari and chewing sugar cane on the farm, to the rhythms of marimba music and the richness of traditional African storytelling, each day brought something new and beautiful. Visiting a traditional African village was another highlight. I immersed myself in local customs, tasted traditional Zulu beer and porridge, and gained a deeper appreciation for South Africa’s vibrant heritage.

This experience changed me. It opened my eyes to the beauty of human connection and the power of shared purpose. South Africa gave me more than I could ever give in return; and for that, I am eternally grateful.

 

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St. Mary’s in South Africa: A visit with purpose

Following eighteen months of preparation, planning and fundraising, fifteen students from St. Mary’s embarked on a mission to deliver a ‘Leadership Through Sport’ programme’ to students at Mnyakanya High School situated in the remote, rural Nkandla area of South Africa.

This year’s visit was led by Charlotte Wood with support from Catherine Chattoe and Patrick Rogozinski. The team were also joined by Matt and Chloe Crooks,trustees of the Jordan Sinnott Foundation.

The student team comprised of JP Carroll, Jack Booth, Harry Nuttall, Tom Brooks, Chris Jose, Aaron Smith, Ava Shepherd, Leona Vaduthala, Niamh Casey, Isabel Barnes, Zara Helliwell, Evie Harris, Ria Clarke, Gina Bene-Hamill and Erin Healy.

The visit started in rural Nkandla where St. Mary’s students led and organised the Bambisanani Schools’ Athletic competition with for local primary schools. Impressive times and distances stunned the student leaders especially given that many participants were barefooted and running on difficult terrain.

Following four intense days of athletics coaching and leadership training, 40 Mnyakanya High School students were fully equipped and confident enough to organise and host a spectacular Sports and Reading Festival for 60 children from Ntolwane Primary School. Both Festivals were a tremendous success and enjoyed by all. Additionally, as part of the visit, the St. Mary’s students delivered lessons in a wide range of curriculum areas. Enthusiastic staff and students from Mnyakanya High School experienced high quality lessons in geography, maths, biology, and PE.

At a special presentation ceremony and partnership celebration, Mnyakanya students received their much-deserved Leadership awards and students from Mnyakanya and Ntolwane Primary school were presented with a series of annual Bambisanani awards from the John Paul II Foundation for Sport as well as very special awards in memory of Lawrie McCauley, Sbonelo Magwaza and Heather Read.

In collaboration with Newcastle College, St. Mary’s visited Thembimfundo Special School for children with various disabilities and challenges. The team ran a Sports Day for the children, which included dancing, high jump, boccia, javelin and parachute games. It was moving, rewarding and insightful to see how well the children did, and to see how happy they were participating in the activities. The UK team hosted a celebration ceremony where they were delighted to present, awards in memory of former St. Mary’s teacher Matt Harvey. The awards celebrated students who had demonstrated excellence, determination and leadership in sport.  

The final part of the visit saw the St. Mary’s students volunteering at uMlalazi Day Centre and Crèche, a centre for orphans and vulnerable children run by the Zulufadder Children’s Trust. This was a magical time for St. Mary’s students where they loved promoting literacy bringing stories to life with the use of props and toys. The students also acted out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt read by Catherine Chattoe and had a teddy bears’  picnic. The St. Mary’s students also helped plant some vegetables for the Centre providing them with lettuce, onions, beetroot and Maize along with seeds kindly donated by members of the St. Mary’s community.

Upon returning from the visit Gina Bene-Hamill said, “I was told it would be amazing, but it was better than that, each day I was more amazed and grateful for being there. It was the best experience I have ever had.”

Niamh Casey said, “Bambisanani was a truly eye opening  experience that has provided me with so many unforgettable life lessons.”

Jack Booth said, “A completely life changing experience, full of opportunity and adventure that opened my mind on so many levels and something I will never forget.”

Miss Wood in the final blog of the visit said, “All 15 of you have been a pleasure to work with over the last 10 days. Having taught and still teaching a handful of you it’s been great to see your journey develop as inspirational, caring young adults. I hope you all learn from this experience and build on skills that you have gained. I hope you learn from your experiences, cherish friendships made, but most of all follow your dreams and believe that the impossible is possible with true grit and determination.” 

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St. Mary’s Menston Bambisanani Fundraising Easter 2025

Congratulations to Sophia and the Stow Family

Sophia, a Year 7 student at St. Mary’s Menston won the Bambisanani Easter Card Competiton.

Sophia's card will be sent to our friends in South Africa and our supporters of The Bambisanani Partnership.

Sophia was presented with a Lindt Easter Egg for her winning design. Mr Nield and Miss Wood delivered the good news to Sophia.

 
 

Congratulations to the Stow family who won the Bambisanani Easter Raffle.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our recent fundraising activities.

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St. Mary’s students impress Rotarians with Bambisanani Partnership Presentation

We are extremely proud of St. Mary’s Menston Year 13 students Holly Taylor and Freya Power who were invited to speak to the members of Rotary Club of Aireborough about their recent work in South Africa as part of The Bambisanani Partnership.

Holly and Freya with The club’s President Janet Appleton, Rotarians Graham Davies and Janet Kerr and St. Mary’s teacher Charlotte Wood.

Holly and Freya spoke articulately and passionately about their volunteering and the impact their time in Africa had on them and South African students.  In their recent visit to South Africa, St. Mary’s students and staff worked with 14 different schools and more than 1,400 students in a range of Bambisanani sports, education and leadership programmes.

The Rotarians were very impressed by the two students and loved hearing their stories. 

The Rotary Club of Aireborough, together with Eshowe Rotary Club in South Africa have supported the Bambisanani Partnership since the very first St. Mary’s School visit to South Africa 19 years ago. During that time more than 27,000 students from both countries have engaged in the various Bambisanani programmes and projects. The pioneering work of the partnership has gained international acclaim during that time. Rotary support has been instrumental in these programmes as well as with infra structure projects that have seen houses rebuilt and computers and clean water brought to South African schools. The very special relationship with Rotarians is helping to change lives in one of the most challenging regions of South Africa – it is also helping to bring young people together from both countries, promoting global citizenship and international friendships.

Well done to Holly and Freya – their powerful presentation inspired members of the Rotary Club of Aireborough and developed this very special relationship even further. Long may it continue!


Freya in South Africa

Freya Power

“Volunteering in South Africa as part of The Bambisanani Partnership was incredible and the best experience I have ever had. I have never been as happy as I was in those ten days. It has really changed my perspective and attitude towards many things in life. The love the children have for their education is truly inspiring and has made me appreciate my own education more than I ever have. South African children always try their best in everything they do and never give up despite the many challenges they face. There is definitely a lot that can be learned from these amazing children. As a musician myself, nothing could have prepared me for the pure talent of the singers in the choir at Mnyakanya High School. For me, the performances they gave were one of my highlights. I could see the pure passion and emotion they put into their singing and this is what made it so special. I think when they sang, it touched the hearts of many people. It was particularly emotional when they performed for us for the last time as everyone reflected on what a life-changing experience we had, but also that we had to leave all the wonderful people we had met. The singing of the Ntolwane Primary school children was also very touching. When we arrived, hundreds of children came together and created the most powerful sound which gave me goosebumps. I realised that singing is something that unites them and I think that is a very beautiful thing. Something that will always be imprinted in my mind is the pure joy we witnessed on the faces of so many children during our time there. To think we contributed to this is really special and something I will never forget. It was particularly touching time when we volunteered at Thembimfundo Special School, to see how happy the children were, despite the challenging circumstances they face, despite these they never stopped smiling and laughing. These children give me hope for humanity. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to volunteer in Kwa Zulu Natal. Thank you Bambisanani.”


Holly in South Africa

Holly Taylor

“Volunteering in South Africa as part of The Bambisanani Partnership was the best decision I have made. Our time there helped me to better understand how different people from different cultures live their lives. Being able to have the opportunity to help the children at Mnyakanya High School was life changing for both us and them, being able to see the difference our volunteering was making was so special. I didn’t expect that in such a short time we would make such good friendships with all the students at Mnyakanya and that they would leave such a lasting impact on me. Being able to witness how they live their everyday school life and seeing how different it is to ours made me appreciate how lucky we are, even though sometimes we don’t appreciate it. Being able to sing, dance, play sports and help these children learn was such a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget.”


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Members of the Bambisanani team from the UK and South Africa would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

uKhisimusi omuhe nonyaka omusha omuhle

Many thanks for all your tremendous help and support that enables us to do all that we do

Ngiyabonga kakhulu 


Joy to The World


St. Mary’s Christmas Message to Mnyakanya High School 2024

This year has brought our school many blessings, the greatest
of which was the visitation by PK, Mazet, Eunice, Amahle and
Bayanda; our very own travellers from afar. They brought their
gifts of joy, laughter and love and distributed them abundantly
and freely. We give thanks for the riches our partnership brings
to all and the great sharing and exchange of God’s gifts. We
pray for the Mnyakanya community at this wonderful time of
year when we focus on the Holy Family and ask that God
continues to grace our combined efforts, as a partnership
family, bringing us closer together in heart mind and soul.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.

With our love.

Your friends at St Mary's, Menston.


This is a message from Mnyakanya High School, a school in the Nkandla region of Kwa Zulu Natal in South Africa. 

St. Mary’s Menston have been working with Mnyakanya for 18 years.

Dear friends,

As the holiday season approaches, we would like to take a moment to send our warmest wishes to our dearest friends, your loved ones and your community. Although we may be miles apart, the spirit of Christmas brings us closer together in heart, mind and soul. Our year has been filled with happiness, triumphs and challenges, but we are grateful for our friendship and partnership. St. Mary’s support and kindness have meant the world to us, and we cherish the moments we've shared even from afar. May your Christmas be filled with joy laughter and the warmth of family and friends.

Here's to a prosperous New Year ahead, filled with new adventures and
opportunities for us to explore together.

Wishing you all the magic and wonder of the season.

Lots of love
Mnyakanya High School

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St. Mary’s South Africa Visit 2024

By Charlotte Wood

The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work in one of South Africa’s poorest regions, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. This summer has seen the multi award-winning charity take on its most ambitious volunteering project in its 18-year history. Students and staff from St. Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Newcastle College have recently returned from South Africa where both individually and collaboratively they extended and developed the work of the partnership.

Following eighteen months of preparation, planning and fundraising, thirteen students from St. Mary’s embarked on a mission to deliver a ‘Leadership Through Sport’ programme’ to students at Mnyakanya High School situated in the remote, rural Nkandla area. This year’s visit was led by Charlotte Wood with support from Catherine Chattoe and David Farmer.

The student team comprised of Jake Flatman, Oscar Willis, James Allenby, James Lawrence, Malachy Caldwell, Ciaran Diamond, Gus Burrows, Holly Taylor, Freya Power, Florence Northway, Abigail Samways, Evelyn Paduch and Amelia Devine.

Throughout their visit, St. Mary’s students were assisted by four students from Eshowe High School; Mandisi Simelane, Nothando Khoza, Minenhle Sibiya and Nondumiso Hadebe; who supported them with the delivery of the leadership programme and provided invaluable assistance with English and Zulu language translation.

The visit started in rural Nkandla where St. Mary’s students led and organised the Bambisanani Schools’ Athletic competition with for local primary schools. Impressive times and distances stunned the student leaders especially given that many participants were barefooted and running on difficult terrain.

Following four intense days of athletics coaching and leadership training, thirty Mnyakanya High School students were fully equipped and confident enough to organise and host a spectacular Sports and Reading Festival for over 120 children from Ntolwane Primary School. Both Festivals were a tremendous success and enjoyed by all. Additionally, as part of the visit, the St. Mary’s students delivered lessons in a wide range of curriculum areas. Enthusiastic staff and students from Mnyakanya High School experienced high quality lessons in history, maths, biology, and geography.

At a special presentation ceremony and partnership celebration, Mnyakanya students received their much-deserved Leadership awards and students from Mnyakanya and Ntolwane Primary school were presented with a series of annual Bambisanani awards from the John Paul II Foundation for Sport as well as very special awards in memory of Lawrie McCauley, Sbonelo Magwaza and Heather Read.

In collaboration with Newcastle College, St. Mary’s visited Thembimfundo Special School for children with various disabilities and challenges. The team ran a Sports Day for the children, which included dancing, high jump, boccia, javelin and parachute games. It was moving, rewarding and insightful to see how well the children did, and to see how happy they were participating in the activities. The UK team hosted a celebration ceremony where they were delighted to present, for the very first-time, awards in memory of former St. Mary’s teacher Matt Harvey. The awards celebrated students who had demonstrated excellence, determination and leadership in sport. The visit highlighted major water and sanitation problems at Thembinfuno. The charity has subsequently committed to working with the school, local community and Department of Education to try and rectify what is a truly appalling situation. During the visit, David Farmer, Deputy Headteacher from St. Joseph’s Primary School in Pudsey committed to walking, running and climbing the equivalent distance and height of the three highest Mountains in Africa in order to raise funds for the water and sanitation project.

The final part of the visit saw the St. Mary’s students volunteering at uMlalazi Day Centre and Crèche, a centre for orphans and vulnerable children run by the Zulufadder Children’s Trust. This was a magical time for St. Mary’s students where they loved promoting literacy bringing stories to life with the use of props and toys. The students also acted out Going on a Bear Hunt read by David Farmer and had a teddy bears picnic.

David Geldart, Founder of the Bambisanani Partnership and former St. Mary’s School teacher said, “The commitment of St. Mary’s to this initiative is simply phenomenal. This is where it all began and 18 years on more than 50 educational institutions are now involved and 27,000 young people from both countries have engaged in our programmes and projects. During that time more than 200 students and 15 teachers from the school have volunteered in South Africa.  This year the St. Mary’s team worked with no less than 13 different schools and 1449 young people. I have nothing but praise and admiration for the teachers who continually go the extra mile, and more, to create such fantastic educational opportunities for their young people. The St. Mary’s students are remarkable; they are outstanding young people who respond exceptionally well to all the challenges and opportunities that volunteering in rural KwaZulu-Natal brings. It is always great to see a school that is serious about living its values.”

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St.Mary’s student has article published about her volunteering experience in South Africa

Eleanor in South Africa, 2023

Former St. Mary’s student Eleanor Rock, now studying at Loughborough University, has had an article published in the Association of Physical Education’s prestigious journal Physical Education Matters. Eleanor is a previous winner of the Sbonelo Magwaza Award which recognised her outstanding leadership and volunteering in South Africa.

Link to read the article:

A Day in the Life of Eleanor Rock Physical Education Matters Autumn 2024 (PDF)


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