Education, Wimborne | Posted on February 27th, 2024 | return to news
Pamphill First School raises £2,000 for students in Uganda
Children at a small Dorset school have smashed their fundraising target of £250 for students in Uganda.
Pamphill CofE First School has raised over £2,000 for the Emily Collins School on the outskirts of Kisoro in the south-west of the African country.
The British children wanted to help enable the students to enjoy the same things they had – including school trips and playground equipment.
They began fundraising during the autumn, which included sponsored runs, sponsored climbs, sponsored swims and cake sales.
Their initial target of £250 was quickly exceeded and by the end of the term a total of £2,100.35 had been raised.
“This was very much a pupil-led effort and It’s incredible how much they raised considering we are a school, of just 74 pupils,” said headteacher Mike Wheeler.
“The school we raised the money for is named in memory of Emily Collins who went there following extensive treatment for cancer to work with vulnerable children who lived on the streets. Sadly, she died a few years later.
“Her friend, Martin, in Uganda, started a charity called Our Father’s House Ministries to continue her good work and asked her father, Stephen, if they could name a school they were hoping to build after Emily.
“Stephen has continued to raise money to build and run the school – and he has been liaising between us both.
“The money has been used to take the Ugandan students on a trip – many had never left their village before.
“It also paid for some playground equipment and it is enough to sponsor the education of three girls for a year. And we aim to continue fundraising to see them through their education.
“Our relationship with Emily Collins School goes back several years so our pupils know all about it.
“They really wanted the students there to enjoy what they had, which is what prompted them to start fundraising and shows what caring children we have. And their parents were all keen to help too.
“Both schools have a strong Christian ethos and it’s wonderful to have this relationship with people so far away.”
Stephen said: “Pamphill is a very special school and Mike and his team have a wonderful approach to teaching the children important lessons from outside of the curriculum.“
Martin Duhimbeze, who runs the charity in Uganda, said: “The entire Emily Collins School appreciates all the love and support.
“Having children and staff go to Lake Mburo National Park – about a six hour drive – was so good and educative. Many had never moved beyond their village and had never seen the lake or wild animals.
“The money also paid for three sets of playground equipment.
“And we have decided to use the funds to help three needy children get to Emily Collins School and they will get a full year support.”
Pamphill is part of Initio Learning Trust whose CEO Liz West said: “This is a wonderful and uplifting story.
“Our children did a wonderful job raising all that money and I hope the relationship between the schools lasts for a long time.”
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