Children living in a slum in Uganda will soon have a minibus to transport them safely to and from their lessons thanks to a school in Dulwich.
Sally-Anne Huang, headteacher at James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS), donated the minibus to help children living in Bwaise – the largest and poorest slum area in Kampala, Uganda.
The minibus, sponsored by Hyperoptics and Inspired Homes, was given a makeover by Arkadegraphics, a Dulwich-based graffiti specialist charity, before being shipped to Mombasa.
It comes as part of an initiative run by AFFCAD (UK) (Action for Fundamental Change and Development) – a charity set up by JAGS science teacher Liz Parker which has been fundraising for the past few years to support its international arm, AFFCAD, in its work in Bwaise.
The charity wants to rebuild AFFCAD’s primary school, as the landlord has tripled the rent and the building itself doesn’t meet fire regulations.
The aim is to raise £25,000 for a deposit to secure land, where the school can be built.
Staff, family and friends of AFFCAD (UK), together with JAGS, were invited to take part in the Four Peaks Challenge, which involves climbing the three peaks in Yorkshire and the final fourth peak in Uganda.
The team completed the three peaks in just twelve hours at the beginning of June and is set to travel to Uganda to climb the fourth peak, Mount Elgon, in August.
Liz Parker said: “The bus is on its way from Tilbury Docks to East Africa, via the Suez Canal.
“We’ll meet it in Africa, and use it to take us to Uganda, where we will climb the fourth peak in our challenge.
“Then we’ll take our beautiful Bus2Bwaise to AFFCAD’s primary school, where we hope it will be used to help the children there for many years to come.”
The three peaks challenge alone raised more than £8,660.
To donate, visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/ExcelRebuild