Local school announces twinning programme

A NORTHSIDE school is to partner with a school in South Africa as part of a twinning programme.

A representative of Irish-based charity Amawele visited St Columbas National School on the North Strand last week for the announcement.

Amawele facilitates the development of educational partnerships between schools in Ireland and South Africa.

The charity helped St Columbas partner with Vuyani Primary School in Gugulethu, with the use of Skype.

As part of the programme pupils at St Columbas will have several workshops throughout the year on development education covering topics such as poverty and health as well as several more interactions with their twinned school.

Emma Murphy, general manager of Amawele, said: “The chance to speak to teenagers their own age but from a different part of the world with a different culture and perspective can be a real eye opener for the students.

“Once the conversation gets flowing it can nearly be impossible to get them back to class.

?

Amawele, which also has a presence in South Africa, will send volunteers to schools there as part of its Food Garden Project.

The project aims to build sustainable food gardens to help supplement the school menus in several South African schools.

The charity has built four food gardens already. These will help supplement lunch meals for 1,800 students in the townships of Capetown.

Amawele is also seeking volunteers for its upcoming trip in February 2015.

“We aim to build part of the education infrastructure and ensure children in the townships complete their education, that’s our mission,

? Ms Murphy added.

If you are interested in volunteering you can contact the charity by emailing [email protected] or calling 01-4241719.