Uniform benefits for Malawi

THE reorganisation of primary schools in Norwich has had an unexpected benefit on children in Malawi.

When the schools amalgamated and changed their names at the end of last term, many left-over uniforms, book-bags and surplus equipment, were donated to the Norwich-Dedza Partnership, a charity which links the city with Dedza District in Malawi.

The Partnership arranged the shipment to Dedza, where they have been distributed to some of the 200 primary schools in the district by the education department.

Nick Nicholson, chairman of the Norwich-Dedza Partnership said: “We are very grateful to the schools that donated these things. The warm clothes were useful as Dedza has cold mornings at some times of the year and children have to get up early and walk a long way to get to school.”

As part of its work, the Partnership links schools in Norfolk with ones in Dedza. Seven schools have been linked and the pupils exchange letters and drawings about their lives.

The schools involved include Bignold Primary, Bluebell Primary, Catton Grove Primary, Eaton Primary, Heartsease Primary, Horsford Church of England Junior, Lionwood Infants', Lodge Lane Infant, Mile Cross Community Primary and Tuckswood Community Primary.