Team set to make a difference in Africa

Sep 11 2008 by Jon Tunney, The Journal

THIS is the latest team of project workers who are set to embark on a regeneration scheme in a remote African village.

The team members are all workers at Newcastle-based energy efficiency firm eaga, and are taking part in the trip as part of a future leaders scheme.

But Sam Robinson, social responsibility manager at the firm, said the trip to Tanzania was much more than a corporate bonding exercise.

He said: “We do a lot of work with corporate responsibility and have many things happening in the UK.

“But we wanted to identify a project overseas with an established and successful charity, and that is where Child- reach International come in.

“We are not just going out there to have a good time – we want to do something where we leave things behind that will stay with the people and make a profound difference.”

The team will spend two weeks in Mahida, in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, working alongside Gateshead fundraiser and project leader Sean Murphy, where work will include refurbishing a school, implementing a sustainable water system and carrying out a sustainable energy evaluation.

Earlier this year The Journal accompanied the first group of project workers to visit the region, who spent two weeks refurbishing a school building in the village.

Another group of North East-based workers will also be traveling out later this month, prior to the eaga team, to carry on the good work.

And Mr Murphy said that he was hopeful the coming month would make a huge difference to the lives of the local people.

As part of the regeneration scheme, the eaga team will also be recording personal diaries to log the challenges they face.

Mr Murphy said that there would be plenty of obstacles for team members to overcome while in Africa.

He said: “We are looking at a project that could end with a new playground and solar panels, and I think this team can achieve it.

“The locals are also excited about us going back – they are always skeptical when you are out there about whether or not you will return, but hopefully these teams can carry on the good work.”

Mr Murphy will fly out to Tanzania next week, and later this month he will be joined by the first group of project workers.

The eaga team will then fly out on September 29 to carry out their project.