NEWS
Mnyakanya Water Project Completed and Making a Difference
This week saw the completion of Phase 2 of the Water Project at Mnyakanya School.
This week saw the completion of Phase 2 of the Water Project at Mnyakanya School.
All the pipe, guttering and related plumbing work is now fully operational and connected with the mains water supply and the storage tank facility which we installed last month. Working with the local community, we have delivered the project on budget and ahead of schedule despite considerable challenges.
It would be difficult to overstate the importance of this project and its impact at Mnyakanya School and indeed with the wider community; as our Bambisanani Coordinator at Mnyakanya, Mrs Pk Zondi has already said: “…it has saved lives and is improving the quality of life and the life chances for our learners”.
This week has seen some additional problems in the Mnyakanya area where the benefits and impact of the Water Project have been highlighted.
Pk explains:
“Today’s weather ranges between 34 to 36 degrees. No water supply again in the whole community and in schools. And we don’t know where the problem is, and how long it will last. Without the water tanks our school would not have operated today. No meals would have been provided to the learners. With water tanks everything is normal, no learners are fainting or crying with headaches as it used to be, previously. Community members are coming in and out to ask for water.
I wish to pass a massive ‘thank you’ on behalf of all the Mnyakanya community for the huge Water Project that has been delivered to our school. I strongly believe that we will never have a time again, when there will be no water at all in the school. As I’m speaking, water is found in almost every corner of the school because of the water tanks that the partnership has facilitated. Social distancing for Covid-19 is well maintained since learners do not have to line up at one single tap now to get water. May God bless all the Bambisanani team for ‘walking in our shoes' even though we are so far from each other.”
The delivery of the Water Project has been a great team effort with funds raised by our wonderful supporters in both the UK and South Africa. A key element of the project has been the involvement and engagement of local community members, including students from the school, who volunteered their time and labour working to prepare the site. This significant contribution massively reduced overall costs and enabled a more comprehensive project to be delivered. Special thanks must go to all the volunteers who worked on the project – NGIYABONGA KAKHULU! This week it was most humbling indeed to catch up with some of the volunteer team:
“I am Thabani Khanyile, a grade 10 learner at Mnyakanya. It was a great opportunity for me to do volunteer work on the Water Project in my school. This was important for me because our school has long faced a challenge of water supply. Before we were at school for the whole day without water to drink and to wash our hands. The water tanks will enable us to stay at school safely and healthy.”
“My name is Magwaza Bonginkosi. Firstly, I wish to thank our Bambisanani friends for being so kind to us. The offering of water tanks in our school will make our life at school to be enjoyable. We will feel taken care of and treated like humans. I decided to assist with volunteer work in this project because we have suffered for a long time without water. If we had no water supply in the taps we had no alternative water source. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, we had to stay at home. I love the Bambisanani Partnership.”
“I am Diffat Mulozorana staying close to the school. I am a Zimbabwean by birth. I was so shocked when my friend told me that the neighbouring school has no water tanks as an alternative source of water. I volunteered for this water project at Mnyakanya because of this fear of Coronavirus that may affect people if they don't wash their hands. This virus would not only affect people in the school, but could spread from the school to the whole community and destroy us all. Water tanks also help community people if there is no water supply from the taps. Thanks to the Bambisanani Partnership to make us live safely.”
Sipho Shangase, a community member added: “Thanks to the Bambisanani Partnership for supporting our community with water. The school is taking care of our children and we need them to be safe at school. I decided to take part in this project to contribute in saving lives. The school cannot run without water. If there is no water, the school must close. Water tanks are very important as another way to provide water if there is no water from the taps. Thanks to Bambisanani Partnership for thinking of our community.”
David Geldart from the partnership said, “The very essence of the Bambisanani Partnership is about collaboration: working together and learning together. The delivery of this project encapsulates this commitment and philosophy. There is enormous power and potential in effective partnerships – even if some members of the team live 8,500 miles apart! Long may we continue to live, work and learn in partnership.”
Also see the links below for other related stories about the Mnyakanya School Water Project:
Mnyakanya School Water Project moves quickly to make a difference (28/09/2020)
Otley Lions support Bambisanani Partnership in ambitious African Water Project (24/08/2020)
Bambisanani Partnership helps South African children return to school with water supply connection (23/07/2020)
VIDEO: Bambisanani Challenge 2020 Animation (17/07/2020)
Yorkshire to South Africa run, walk or cycle challenge will help save lives (07/07/2020)
The Bambisanani Partnership 2020 Challenge (11/06/2020)
Aid delivered and Rebuilding begins in the Vumanhlamvu community
The Bambisanani Partnership was recently contacted by William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu Primary School informing us that the 21 of his children had been left homeless by wildfires.
The Bambisanani Partnership was recently contacted by William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu Primary School informing us that 21 of his children had been left homeless by wildfires. The school serves one of the poorest rural communities in South Africa. William is no stranger to the partnership and indeed played a significant role in developing it when he was Principal of Mnyakanya School in the same region. A rapid response from the partnership has now delivered all the essential emergency aid required to help rebuild the community. Please see letter below and related photographs from William Vilakazi:
Dear David
The School Management Team and the School Governing Body of Vumanhlamvu Primary School would like to express our sincere appreciation for the donation you have recently made for our school and surrounding community. In addition to the Covid-19 our school community is faced with many challenges in life. The fire was the worst thing added on that situation.
Our learners are now attending school in numbers with new clean uniforms; they also have food in their stomachs. The building material you donated also bought dignity, self-esteem and hope to both the learners and community members. We have no doubt that the performance of our learners will also increase in the classroom.
Your donation made a huge difference in our community. They were desperately in need of it. They will be able to build new houses and rebuild their lives.
Mrs Sibongile Mpungose grandmother of four learners said, “I lost everything that I stored in my rondovel such as food, clothes and other valuable things. I am depending on social grant I received once every month to rebuild a house, buying blankets, food and school uniform was going to be a difficult job for me as a single parent. I thank Bambisanani Partnership for a wonderful job they did to us even though we have never met. May God bless you all”.
Dlamini Nomfundo a grade 6 learner said “I now have self confidence in class. I received a new school uniform, food parcel, blankets and on top of that building material for a home. I will now focus on my studies. Thank you Bambisanani”.
The Nkandla Mayor (Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli) added “It is my first time to see that people abroad from UK to do such wonderful job. You have showed love and support to our people by donating building material and other much needed resources. I thank everyone involved to this project especially Bambisanani trustees and Eshowe Rotary Club”.
Mr Xulu (Local Councillor) said “If you are homeless people don’t take you seriously in the community. Fire has destroyed everything we had worked for years. I thank UK people for their good hearts. We are going to have new proper houses in our area”.
We are very blessed to have you. Thank you again for your generous support and we look forward to working with you again in the near future.
William Vilakazi
Principal
David Geldart, from the partnership added: “Having William on the ground working with the local community and having our good friends from Eshowe Rotary Club to coordinate matters enabled us to get this essential project delivered; we simply could not have done it without them. We could not have done it, and indeed done it so quickly, without our friends and supporters here in the UK either. People showed enormous kindness and generosity with regard to our hastily arranged Auction and with specific donations. Specific funding from Newcastle based company Argon Health and the Rotary Club of Aireborough helped us pay for the majority of the building materials required. Special thanks must also go to the Vumanhlamvu community who will carry all the building work required. I cannot thank everyone concerned enough for making this all happen. Yet again we have seen a tremendous Bambisanani team effort across nations and communities that has truly changed the lives of some people."
Also see related articles:
Mnyakanya School Water Project moves quickly to make a difference
Last month, The Bambisanani Partnership, in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, was able to reinstate the water supply that allowed students back into school after the South African Coronavirus lockdown.
Last month, The Bambisanani Partnership, in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, was able to reinstate the water supply that allowed students back into school after the South African Coronavirus lockdown.
The partnership immediately began work with the school and local community after this for Phase Two of the Water Project to install water storage tanks, rainwater collection and filtration system and water taps together with all the associated plumbing.
Much progress has been made very quickly which is having a positive impact on the lives of students and the wider community.
Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani Coordinator at Mnyakanya said: “The water tanks have arrived and have been fitted. They were filled with water this week which coincided with start of external exams, which was so helpful. It also coincided with an engine failure that pumps water to the local community. They had no running water in their taps but our neighbours could come and get water from our tanks which was a real blessing for the whole community. With water in our new tanks the learners could drink and wash freely; we could also cook food for them. The learners wrote their exams smoothly. There is still some work to complete on the Water Project but having clean water readily available has transformed life at the school. As I have said before this project has already saved lives it is now helping to improve the life chances of our learners who really appreciate it. ”
“This really has been a tremendous team effort as indeed it always is when projects like this are successful.”
David Geldart from the partnership added: “With significant donations from our amazing friends, supporters and partners we were able to move swiftly on the project. Working with the local community we raised almost £5000 from sources within South Africa and the UK. Special thanks must go Otley Lions and the Oxted One World Group who not only provide funding but also very helpful advice that actually helped us expand the project from its original specification to a higher standard. The fund raising organised by Charlotte Wood, from St. Mary’s School by way of the sponsored walk/run/cycle by teachers, students and other volunteers the equivalent distance from Leeds to Mnyakanya is ongoing and remarkable to say the least. Charlotte informs that we are now ‘well into central Africa’ with about out 4000km to go! I must also mention the Mnyakanya community not only for securing part of the funding but also for providing the volunteers to carry out some of the work which reduced the cost of the project significantly. This really has been a tremendous team effort as indeed it always is when projects like this are successful.”
“This project has already saved lives it is now helping to improve the life chances of our learners.”
Also see related articles:
Otley Lions support Bambisanani Partnership in ambitious African Water Project (24/08/2020)
Bambisanani Partnership helps South African children return to school with water supply connection (23/07/2020)
VIDEO: Bambisanani Challenge 2020 Animation (17/07/2020)
Yorkshire to South Africa run, walk or cycle challenge will help save lives (07/07/2020)
The Bambisanani Partnership 2020 Challenge (11/06/2020)
Going, going gone: Bambisanani Partnership Auction raises over £4,000
Just over a week ago the Bambisanani Partnership hastily organised an auction to raise funds for the community of Vumanhlamvu Primary School, in particular the 21 children, who had lost everything in the recent wildfires.
Just over a week ago the Bambisanani Partnership hastily organised an auction to raise funds for the community of Vumanhlamvu Primary School, in particular the 21 children, who had lost everything in the recent wildfires.
The aftermath of the fire
The auction, which included some rare and unique signed items from Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Trevor Brooking, Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Geoffrey Boycott, David Gower, Bob Willis, Leeds United, Leeds Rhinos and the Kaiser Chiefs raised an amazing £4175!
This funding will enable the partnership to meet the request for urgent help asked for by William Vilakazi the Principal of the school and as outlined by Eshowe Rotary Club. Working with William, the local community and Eshowe Rotary Club the partnership will now be able to provide the school uniforms, blankets, emergency food parcels required. It will also be able to provide the materials to rebuild the homes that were burnt to the ground. All the labour required for the building work will be provided by the local community. With thoughts of these children not just surviving but thriving the fund raising efforts will also enable help the partnership to provide reading books, sports equipment an other educational resources for the children affected and for Vumanhlamvu School.
““I really do not have the words to thank the Bambisanani Partnership for helping us at this time. This community is very poor and some families lost everything they had in the fires. The impact of the Bambisanani support will give the children everything they need: food, clothing and a home; they will be back in school again, learning. All the support will help rebuild this community giving hope and opportunity. Thank you so much to everyone involved, this really will transform the lives of 21 children and their families.””
““People have been so kind and generous supporting the auction and making donations. The events in William’s community clearly touched the hearts of many people and the response has been wonderful. This funding will genuinely helping to change lives and the quality of people’s lives in the remote, rural area Nkandla region of South Africa. I simply cannot thank our supporters and teams on the ground enough for making this happen.””
Auction to support children who have lost everything in South African fire disaster
We have just heard from our good friend William Vilakazi in South Africa about devastating wild fires in his community that have destroyed the homes of ten families of his students.
We have just heard from our good friend William Vilakazi in South Africa about devastating wild fires in his community that have destroyed the homes of ten families of his students.
William is the former Principal of Mnyakanya School who played a significant role in developing the Bambisanani Partnership. He is now the Principal of Vumanhlamvu Primary School which is also situated remote and rural Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal. The area is one of the most deprived in South Africa with the highest AIDS/HIV rate in the country and over 90% unemployment. The area endures extreme poverty and has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus.
Of the latest disaster William said “The wild fires have destroyed homes, livestock and forests. Twenty one (21) of our learners were badly affected by the fire. They are homeless, without clothes and food; some of the children cannot return to school right now because of the situation”
Graham Chennells and Nick Phillips from the Eshowe Rotary Club have just visited William and members of the community to help assess the situation. They have reported back to the Bambisanani Partnership and have confirmed the dire situation and a priority list of support: clothing and shoes, school uniforms, food parcels, blankets and materials to rebuild homes.
The Bambisanani Partnership immediately contacted individuals and partner organisations in both the UK in an effort to coordinate help; this work is ongoing and a major focus of work right now.
In order to kick start the necessary fund raising and to raise awareness, David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership charity has organised an auction of sporting memorabilia and other items. Offers are being invited at a minimum of £25 per item with bids to be forwarded to directly to David by 6pm Saturday 12 September: d.geldart@bambisananipartnership.org
Please see list of auction items below:
1. England shirt (framed) signed by Alan Shearer
2. England shirt (framed) signed by Wayne Rooney
3. 1968 European Cup Final Man Utd replica track top signed by Alex Stepney
4. Two West Ham replica shirts from the 1975 and 1980 Cup Finals in one frame both signed by Sir Trevor Brooking
5. 1966 World Cup Final Programme signed by Sir Geoff Hurst
6. Cricket ball signed by Geoff Boycott, David Gower, Bob Willis and Ian Chappell
7. Rugby ball signed by ten Leeds Rhinos players
8. Limited Edition 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil) Adidas match ball replica
9. Limited Edition 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil) Adidas match ball replica as used in the Final
10. FIFA World Cup replica trophy (full size)
11. Signed Leeds Utd football 91/92 season - First Division Champions, Gary McAllister, David Batty, Tony Dorigo etc
12. Kaiser Chiefs CD (Yours Truly, Angry Mob) signed by all five band members
13. Kaiser Chiefs CD (Employment) signed by all five band members
Three limited edition Bambisanani hardback 'coffee table type' books are also available:
14. Bambisanani: The Power of Sport - the book features art work and written work of over 650 St. Mary's and Mnyakanya School students based on Nelson Mandela's famous 'Power of Sport' quote
15. Bambisanani 2012: Faster, Higher, Stronger - featuring the work of the partnership in the Olympic year of 2012
16. Bambisanani: The First Ten Years - this book chronicles the work of the partnership and those involved from 2006 - 2016
David said. “We simply have to do something to help in this terrible situation and do it quickly. We are working desperately hard to coordinate a response in order to make this happen. If we were able to get £25 per auction item (or more!) this would give us a great start in raising the estimated £3800 required to get these children clothed, fed, back in a home and back into school. Their life is tough enough without having to contend with this.”
Offers have already been on many items – to see the latest highest bids please visit the latest bigs page:
latest bids page
Otley Lions support Bambisanani Partnership in ambitious African Water Project
Richard Phillips, President of Otley Lions this week presented a cheque for £1000 to the St. Mary’s, Menston based charity, The Bambisanani Partnership, in order to complete an ambitious Water Project at Mnyakanya School situated in the remote rural area of Nkandla in South Africa.
From left to right: Charlotte Wood, Richard Phillips, Catherine Chattoe, Matt Harvey and David Geldart
Richard Phillips, President of Otley Lions this week presented a cheque for £1000 to the St. Mary’s, Menston based charity, The Bambisanani Partnership, in order to complete an ambitious Water Project at Mnyakanya School situated in the remote rural area of Nkandla in South Africa.
The charity recently established mains water connection to the school which allowed children to return to school following a strict coronavirus lockdown and now aims to install ten water tanks to store water for both the school and the wider community. The scheme will also include a rain water collection, filter and storage system which will add more sustainable element to the project.
The school serves one the poorest communities in South Africa and a constant supply of clean water will have a massive impact in terms of health and wellbeing. Having clean water to drink, cook with and clean with will transform the lives of many in the area. South Africa has been particularly badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, none more so than in the remote rural areas where the infra structure simply isn’t there to cope with the situation.
Mrs Pk Zondi from Mnyakayana School said “We are so grateful for the support for this project which has already saved lives; it will improve the quality of life for members of the school community and beyond. This project will help sustain learning at the school which in its self is life changing for so many.”
Richard Phillips presented the cheque to members of the Bambisanani Partnership team: Charlotte Wood, Catherine Chattoe, Matt Harvey and David Geldart in the Chapel at St. Mary’s where he also had the opportunity to learn more about the ground breaking work of the charity in South Africa.
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership added “St. Mary’s School and the Bambisanani Partnership have a long history of support and kindness from Otley Lions. We are so appreciative of this very generous donation that will make a genuine difference to people’s lives in this deprived part of South Africa where ready access to clean water is by no means a given. We are delighted to be associated with Otley Lions; their genuine commitment to serving communities, both locally and internationally, is truly remarkable and inspirational. We cannot thank them enough for the support that it has given this charity.”
Richard commented “It was a pleasure to meet members of the Bambisanani team at St. Mary’s School. The work they have done since the start of the partnership is tremendous and this current endeavour is no less worthy of our support. We all take clean running water for granted but not everyone is lucky enough to have the access to it that we do.
Clean water, basic toilets and good hygiene practices are essential for the survival and development of children and with the current global crisis this could not be more so. The pandemic has highlighted the value of water and its benefits to health, with 40% of the global population not having access to water at home, connecting schools and communities is a way of ensuring access to this much needed resource for as many people as possible.
Otley Lions is looking forward to continuing to support the Partnership and the work it does in the future. ”
Bambisanani Partnership helps South African children return to school with water supply connection
The learners and educators are now back in school – there is much excitement!
The learners and educators are now back in school – there is much excitement!
It was reported several weeks ago that the Principal of Mnyakanya School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa had contacted the Menston based Bambisanani Partnership charity as students at her school were not able to return to school after the Coronavirus lockdown as the school had no water supply and students and staff could not adhere to safety and hygiene procedures such as washing hands and equipment. Mrs Mkhize spoke of her students ‘starting to lose hope’ in what is one of the most deprived parts of the country that had over 90% unemployment even before the onset of the pandemic.
The three main UK based partners of the charity; St. Mary’s School, Menston, The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University wasted no time in setting about raising the necessary funds to first and foremost reconnect water to the school and also to improve the plumbing at the school, particularly the number of taps that students have access to. Fundraising events from on-line Quiz Nights to the ongoing sponsored Run/Walk/Cycle the equivalent distance from Yorkshire to South Africa have been enhanced by generous donations from Bambisanani supporters.
£5,000 was the initial target which would enable the water to be connected and students return to school. The Bambisanani Partnership is absolutely thrilled to announce that it has worked in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and that jointly the funding has been found – the water subsequently connected and the students have returned to school.
““We are lost for words to express our grateful thanks and joy at being able to return to school; we have hope again.””
““Thank you to everyone at the Bambisanani Partnership for all the hard work that has allowed Mnyakanya to reopen because we now have water at the school. The learners and educators are now back in school – there is much excitement! Please pass on our sincere thanks to all the Bambisanani team and supporters for making this happen and happen so quickly.””
The Chair of Governors at the school Mr Sguda Bhengu passed on sincere thanks from the Governing Body to the partnership for restoring the water supply to the school, adding, “We still face the Covid-19 pandemic but the water supply means that washing and hygiene will no longer be a problem.”
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership was delighted that the students and teachers had now returned to school, and said “To resolve this problem has been a tremendous team effort. Very quickly we were able to liaise with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to agree a ‘50/50’ funding package that would connect Mnyakanya School to the water supply. Our special thanks must go to Dr David Chonco, Tony Moodley, Priscilla Guliwe and all at Mnyakanya School and the wider community for their commitment to this project. Thanks also to all the Bambisanani Trustees who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Last but not least, a special tribute must be paid to our other Bambisanani team members and supporters who were so swiftly into action with fund raising. These efforts have certainly all made a real difference; Mnyakanya School is an oasis of hope serving one of South Africa’s poorest communities. Children being in school here massively enhances their life chances which will ultimately help tackle the poverty in the area. These young people are so keen and determined to learn; many of them are prepared walk two hours to and from school each day because they value education so much. They set us an example with their positive and dedicated attitude and they deserve every chance and encouragement. We have now successfully achieved phase one of this plan. Phase two is about improving the plumbing at the school so that there is more than one outside tap for the students to use. We are also investigating installing more sustainable and effective water collection and storage methods at the school – so the fundraising for the ‘Mnyakanya Water Project’ will certainly continue! The next time that you turn a tap on or wash your hands spare a thought for members of this community where these procedures are certainly not taken for granted.”
VIDEO: Bambisanani Challenge 2020 Animation
To donate to charity to support this initiative please visit contact Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s, Mrs Catherine Chattoe: c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org or use our donate button.
To donate to charity to support this initiative please visit contact Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s, Mrs Catherine Chattoe: c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org or use our donate button
Thank you Mrs Chattoe for producing this compelling animation explaining the Bambisanani 2020 Challenge.
Yorkshire to South Africa run, walk or cycle challenge will help save lives
Fourteen years ago Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, together with St. Mary’s Menston established the now multi award winning Bambisanani Partnership which uses sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
Fourteen years ago Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, together with St. Mary’s Menston established the now multi award winning Bambisanani Partnership which uses sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
The remote rural area of Mnyakanya High School
A few weeks ago Mnyakanya School contacted the Bambisanani Partnership charity with the terrible news that they had no water supply which meant that the school could not reopen safely after the coronavirus lockdown of schools in South Africa as basic hygiene requirements such as hand washing could not be carried out. The Acting Principal of the school Mrs Thulie Mkhize spoke of young people ‘starting to lose hope’ in a school that offers hope above all else in one of the country’s most remote and deprived areas.
The Bambisanani Team whose visit to South Africa in June 2020 has been postponed due to Covid 19.
In order to get running water reinstated at the school students and staff from St. Marys have started a fund raising campaign which involves members of the school community collectively running, walking or cycling the equivalent distance from Menston to Mnyakanya – 8709 miles! Led by teacher Miss Charlotte Wood the initial challenge involved 21 students and staff from the school who are directly involved in the partnerships work in South Africa, including current and former members of staff: Charlotte Wood, Catherine Chattoe, Matt Harvey, Brad Dobson, David Geldart and Year 12 students: Joseph Nicol, Archie Bange, Ellie Woffenden, Gabe Beaumont, Millie Carroll, Theo Humphreys, Joe Newman, Oscar Helliwell, Catherine Westhead, Caitlin Copsey, Kizzy Tremlett, Sabrina Spilker, Aisling Hendron, Dion Barber, Emma Kerrigan and Luca Volpe.
Map showing the 8,709 mile distance between St. Mary's Menston and Mnyakanya High School
Last weekend a 10k run, cycle or walk event was completed by all the team which also saw many more teachers from the school join the challenge including: Mr Hearle, Mrs Hayes, Mrs Rix, Mr Pringle, Mrs Wilson, Miss Chrispin, Mrs Beesting, Miss Anderson, Mrs Thornton, Miss Rogers, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Findlay, Mrs Harrison, Ms Pettifer, Mr Dennett, Mr Steingold, Mrs Hanson, Mr Thornton, Miss Mason and Mrs Doyle.
Collectively, the team have now completed 1665 miles, which on the long road to South Africa takes them to Almeria in Spain. With all team members clocking up the miles on daily basis the destination will hopefully be reached by November which will culminate in many of them competing in the Leeds 10k.
The aim is to raise over £5000 which will not only reinstate clean water to the school but also increase the number of taps and improve plumbing.
““This is a fantastic initiative that will hopefully get Mnyakanya students back into school safely so they can start improving their life chances again. We take washing our hands and having clean water to drink for granted; it is difficult to comprehend life without access to water, particularly in these unprecedented and challenging times. The only guaranteed meal that many of these youngsters get is when they are at school – during the lockdown this has obviously not been happening so it essential to get the school open again as soon as possible. I thank everyone involved in this challenge and indeed those supporting it – you really will make a difference.””
To donate to charity to support this initiative please visit contact Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s, Mrs Catherine Chattoe: c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org or use our donate button: