Ross teacher set to take up new post in Malawi

A SPECIALIST Ross-shire teacher is trading the comforts of a relaxed summer holiday for the challenges of an African country with strong links to Scotland.

Roger Bamfield, (49) a Dingwall-based advisory teacher with Highland Council's Autism Outreach Education Service, will be leaving Edinburgh on Friday June 29 to help improve education in the African country of Malawi.

He will live and work in a rural community without any running water or electricity and will work with staff handling classes with over 100 pupils and minimal resources. Roger, right, is going with teachers from around Scotland as part of the Global Teachers Programme (GTP), run by international agency Link Community Development (LCD). The programme provides Scottish teachers and headteachers with a challenging, rewarding and motivating professional and personal development experience.

The programme lasts 15 months and is centred around Roger's five-week placement in LCD's school improvement project in Malawi. LCD provides training and support before, during and after the placement in Malawi. The GTP and the Scotland-Malawi School Improvement Project is supported by the Scottish Executive Education Department.

Admitted Roger, "I usually spend the summer holiday taking things easy but I wanted to do something worthwhile this year. When I was offered the opportunity to take part in LCD's brilliant Global Teachers Programme living in and working with a Malawian community I had to take it up. It is a chance to give and also learn so much, both in Malawi and on my return to Scotland."

He is currently looking to raise £2,000 towards the cost of his placement in Malawi. Following the placement Roger plans to work in Highland to help raise awareness amongst children (including those with autism) of global development issues in Malawi. He hopes to help children form links so they can learn about each others' lives. Global citizenship is one of the key current developments in Scottish education. LCD is a charity which works to improve the quality of education in Africa and raise awareness of development issues in the Scotland. LCD believes education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and their education development projects in Africa are run in partnership with the local departments of education.

People can find out more and support online at http://www.justgiving.com/highlandglobalteacher

To support Link Community Development in Scotland please phone 0131 343 6407 or email: scotland@lcd.org.uk. For more information about Link Community Development visit http://www.lcd.org.uk