Pupils join Eaga to build green school
Oct 5 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal
PUPILS on Tyneside are linking up with their counterparts in Tanzania as part of a green project.
Green services provider Eaga, which is based in Newcastle, is taking part in a school re-building programme in the African country.
As part of the scheme Eaga and charity Childreach International have set up a twinning between Balliol Primary School in North Tyneside and Lotima Primary School near Kilimanjaro.
The link will see pupils exchange blogs, videos and songs between the two continents.
During October and November staff from Eaga and some of its business partners will work with the local community in Lotima to re-build their school which is in desperate need of repair.
Up to £100,000 has been earmarked for extensive repairs to the school and, using its experience in renewable energy, Eaga plans to install solar PV panels on the roof of the school to provide clean and sustainable power. To help with the effort pupils from Balliol are also holding their own fundraising events to pay for a new playground in Lotima.
A mural designed by pupils from both schools will be produced to represent their local environment displaying the best areas in a colourful interpretation. Fiona Downes, headteacher at Balliol said the schools hoped to create a long-term relationship.
She said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the pupils, staff and families of Balliol Primary to develop their interest and understanding of Tanzania and learn about the lives and experiences of the children and families of Lotima School.
“The link with Eaga is brilliant because it enables the children to meet people who have been to Lotima and share accounts of life in their community. We are working closely with Eaga to ensure that this is a partnership which supports children’s developing understanding of the similarity and difference between races, cultures and communities.”
Sam Robinson, regional network manager for Eaga, said: “The way this programme has grown rapidly into a legacy for the local school communities we support in Tanzania is testament to the fruitful Partnership between Eaga, Eaga Partnership Trust, Childreach International and now our stakeholders.
“This year is particularly exciting for the children at Balliol Primary School and the 400 children who will attend the school in Lotima, as the school twinning programme will give them all access to particularly rich and unique cultural experiences and learning opportunities.”
