Malawi school bag appeal

A Learning disability charity hopes to give children in Malawi their first chance of an education by packing school bags.

ENABLE Scotland hopes to send 900 packed bags to the African nation, where children with learning disabilities have no right to an education and are often left behind.

Appeal co-ordinator Lisa Pattoni said: "The situation for children with learning disabilities in Malawi is dire.

"By sending something as simple as a bag with basic school equipment, we can change their lives. We've been really impressed with the response so far - I can hardly move in my office - but we'd like to send 400 more so that every child in the resource centres their are going to receive a bag."

The bags should contain pens, pencils, a plastic cup, bowl and spoon, crayons, a sharpener, ruler, picture book and an educational toy like a jigsaw or bouncy ball.

ENABLE Scotland has also asked for a £3.75 donation with each bag to cover the cost of postage.

Lisa continues: "It really is such a simple thing to do. We'd love to be able to give all of the children a chance they wouldn't otherwise have had.

"We have achieved so much for people with learning disabilities in this country. We'd love to make a difference in Malawi too. Pack a bag for us and you can make that change."

The bags will be shipped to Malawi on January 14.

There are drop-off points in Glasgow, Elgin, Edinburgh and Falkirk.

Contact Lisa on 0141 225 1633 or lisa.pattoni@enable.org.uk for more information or donate on the ENABLE Scotland website - www.enable.org.uk.