OK Jules, here goes. Hope I don.t bore you all.  The new Curriculum For Excellence , which was rolled out in Scottish schools in recent years, highlights two areas of importance, that of Citizenship and Enterprise. Indeed, we are all inspected on these areas. Part of the citizenship programme is Global citizenship. It is hoped that soon, every or most Scottish schools will be partnered with a school in a third world country. I can only commend "Wee Jack", or our First Minister, as he is really, and the Scottish Executive for that. Our school is James Gillespies Primary, which takes children from 3-12 , before they go on the the secondary school, James Gillespies High School. Our founder was a great philanthropist, a wealthy mill owner, who left his fortune to open a home and school for impoverished boys in the 18 century.
There are , I think 4, possibly, 5 primary schools which feed Gillespies High School.
The High School has been sponsoring a partner High School in the Umlazi Township, Durban for several years. Among other things, they have opened a new library, set up a school dinner fund, ( very important, as it may mean the difference of a child attending school or not),paid for a poor student to attend uni, and lots more. There have been exchange visits from staff and pupils and even the famous Soweto Gospel choir have sung at the school. Why not see for yourself on
http://www.jghs.edin.sch.uk/southafrica/southafrica.html
The school set up in SA is smilar to here, with several primary schools feeding a High school, so the next logical step was for us to be partnered with one of the primaries in the township.We are partnered with the poorest of the 5. It began with exchanging letters, photos and generally making contact. Each class corresponds with their equivelant age group. Last Year, the headteacher from SA visited us for a week. He was a giant of a man, named Freedom, and was of course amazed by what we had. He shadowed our headteacher for a week and spoke to every class. His abiding memory of Scotland was not the weather, but of being treated as an equal. He took home with him chalk, pencils etc and £1000 for his school meal fund, £200 of which was taken from him at Glasgow airport in excess baggage. He phoned the school in tears. Not being an experienced traveller, he had not known what to do. The £200 has since been replaced. Our Parents have been fantastic and lots of fundraisng was done. The High School managed to acquire a shipping container for the knock down price of £5000. -normally £12000. It is being split equally between 5 schools. We asked Freedom what his priority would be, and to his credit, he said his nursery class. Not many heads would say that, but he obviously recognises the value of early intervention and early education. I took a conscoius decision to fully involve our nursery children and they have been fantastic, giving without protest. Well, not entrely true. One or two said they liked all their toys and would noy give any. But that is OK, I told them. They have to make the decision themselves. They are not citizens in waiting, they are citizens now.
So, I will keep you posted. The date for  the shipping keeps being put back. Some of our staff , including one of my nursery staff, hope to go out in October. We will also be training staff on how to use computers with children. The school has lots of computers, but they sit idle, as nobody knows how to use them.



 
 

Yes, we learn from our mistakes! Probably giving him cash was not the best thing to do. The thing is there is still corruption over there and how do you make sure the money goes to the right person? It is all so new, we are just taking one step at a time. I think we have had some help and advice from another edinburgh charity, Edinburgh Direct Aid, who have had experience of actually getting stuff out there. Who knows what will happen in the future? They want me to go out, but I am not a good traveller and have a fear of flying. It would be good to let the children see the workings of other charities. As far as I know this is more or less Uk wide. Wouldn't it be great if it was worldwide? We do raise money for local charities as well. Thanks for your interest.

  I just had to share this lovely story with you. When we were discussing the aid to the nursery with my own class, one five year old said he would give up 10 of his toys. I thought he was just trying to outdo the others and said that was very kind, but one or two would be enough. At the weekend he had been playing quietly in his room, came out to his mum and said "Mum, come and look at this" There on his bed were 10 toys all laid out neatly in a row. He had spent time carefully looking through his toyboxes and selecting 10, which he thought the African children would like. This boy will go far. And to top that, his mum is going to have a coffee morning for us.

Upate 24 February
The shipping crate is arriivng in a couple of weeks. My young pupils have been great in donating toys and support from the parents has been brilliant. Once we have packed the container with toys and furniture, we are going to fill any small spaces with pairs of good quality children's shoes. When the head was over from SA last year he said he actually tells the children not to come to school without shoes in the bad weather. So, a simple pair of shoes could make a difference.
Let you know when it all goes off

Any links.  Can you scan it in?

At last, at last ,at last!  A shipping crate full of educational resouces, bound for 2 secondary schools and 2 primary schools in the African township of Umlezi, will finally begin its journey next week. After a year facing South African red tape and indifference, the toys, tables, chairs, storage, easels and other essentials will be picked up from 4 South Edinburgh schools and taken to a port, ready to be shipped out. My litle pre schoolers donated so many of their own toys. They are in primary 1 now, but will be so glad it is finally going.
If anyone is speaking to Bob soon, could they tell him it is finally being shipped out. He knows about the project. Thanks.

-- Edited by Scottie at 17:00, 2008-02-08

Thanks Jules. There were times when we thought we would have the stuff forever. The S.A. authorities would not release the crate, as it was in Durban, then they kept moving the goalposts, "nothing new, all second hand, or no clothing whatsoever, even football strips or shoes"
Anyway it will be away soon. We also had our application for funding for staff to go to S.A .turnred down, so will have to raise the money ourselves. I am sure tis can be done too.

Just heard today that the container has arrived at its intended destination. So, hopefully the schoolchildren will soon be enjoying the new equipment. The Head and deputy head of my school's partnership school are coming to Scotland in august, hopefully with some pics. A long time coming, but mission accomplished.