City nursery African link; CHARITY: Youngsters aid school for needy kids.

Byline: Tony Collins

PUPILS and staff at a Birmingham primary school have been helping to make dreams come true for children in an impoverished part of Africa.

The 32 staff and 142 children at Highfield Day Nursery in Edgbaston have contributed towards raising pounds 35,000 for the expansion of Aputiput School in Uganda's Kumi district.

And, in recognition of the nursery's contribution of pounds 3,500, nursery practitioner Christine Whitehouse and cook Marilyn Howe were invited to represent Highfield Day Nursery in Africa.

They were joined by three colleagues from other nurseries which form part of Childbase UK, who were asked to visit Uganda to celebrate the opening of the new block at Aputiput School. As guests of honour, Christine, Marilyn and their colleagues officially opened the new building.

The ceremony was also attended by local dignitaries including the village chief, local education officials and the farmer who donated land.

More than 200 children and their families were also present at the opening ceremony which included singing and dancing.

Aputiput School serves more than 330 children who walk an average of three miles each way to school.

As well as providing the children with learning and life skills, many of them also get to eat their only meal of the day.

Christine said: "It's all too easy for us to take for granted the wonderful start to our lives that education provides.

"At Highfield, making a positive impact on every child's life and really making a difference to the lives of children in Uganda makes us extremely proud."

Susanne Niedrum, chief executive of Build Africa, which is behind the project, said education was "absolutely essential" in breaking the cycle of poverty.

"Providing children with a safe, conducive environment in which they can learn offers a life changing opportunity for Ugandan children.

"The magnificent efforts from Marilyn, Christine and their colleagues mean that so many more children and, in turn, their families, will now be provided with access to a much brighter future."

Highfield Day Nursery is now planning to raise money towards building another classroom in Uganda.

For more information visit www.build-africa.org.uk or call 01892 519619.

CAPTION(S):

New horizons: From left, back row, Marilyn Howe and Christine Whitehouse, both of Highfield Day Nursery, with representatives of other Childbase nurseries and Boniface Ochom, who donated land for the school, and pupils.