Douglas packs bags for African adventure

A YOUNG teacher is set to be assigned a new classroom — under a tree.

Douglas Creighton will find his new pupils at an African primary school identified by the tree they learn under as he takes on the experience of a lifetime in Malawi.

The 22-year-old Inverkip resident left today for a six-week placement through volunteer charity World Exchange, based in Edinburgh.

Douglas met with Malawi residents living in Scotland to learn about the culture and education system, but will hit the ground running to tackle a severe shortage of teachers.

Speaking before he left, he said: “I could have a class of up to 200 pupils, under a tree. You’re told which tree is your class.

“This school is exceptionally short staffed and their depute head teacher just died. There’s a need for teachers in Africa, to ensure pupils are getting the state education they’re entitled to.”

Douglas will work at the Nansato Primary near the town of Mulanje where there are more than 1,200 pupils.

It’s a slightly larger group than Inverkip Church Youth Group, which Douglas recently stepped down from after four years of activities.

His girlfriend Emma did six months volunteer service in India and Douglas said he wanted to take the opportunity while he could.

He said: “Before I did my probationary year as a teacher in Dumfries and Galloway, I wanted to do something to help people. This will benefit me as much as the pupils. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. This trip will make me appreciate what I’ve got. A lot of the time in Scotland we moan about what we have and in Malawi they have nothing yet still educate their children. I think we are great with what we’ve got.

“The best thing about teaching is whenever you see a pupil grasp something and gain something from what you’ve given them, and when they get excited about things.”

Douglas is hoping to post a regular blog and possibly pictures — if the internet connection works — at malawitrip2007.bebo.com