When Boroughmuir High School, in Edinburgh, was preparing to move to new premises, they were wondering what to do with the inevitable ‘stuff’ that was not coming with them, but which was far too good just to get rid of.
Through Judith Walker, a teacher at the school and one of our trustees, they came up with a solution and several months later, an army of staff, pupils and supporters is pictured busily loading a 40ft container for its journey to schools and other projects in Burkina Faso.
As well as surplus school equipment, generous local people also donated a whole host of other goods, including medical equipment, computers etc. The school and local businesses also got together to raise the money needed to pay for the shipping of the container. In the end, so much material was given that there was a real concern that it would not all fit in, but the team finally closed the container doors on the last of it on Monday 12 February, with the long journey to Ouagadougou beginning the next day.
Thanks to this initiative, schools, our medical centre and other projects will soon be able to improve the care and education they are able to offer.
If you, your school or organisation would like to consider doing something similar, please do get in touch.