Readers of The Journal may recall a recent article detailing the efforts of Jacqueline Partridge of Somer Valley Rotary, whose Books for Watamu campagin aims to supply books for school children in Watamu, Kenya.

After visiting a local Community School in Watamu in October 2017, Jacqueline was shocked at how deprived the children were of stationery, books and school uniforms. The school ranges from Kindergarten children through to fourteen-year-olds, with 980 students in total.

Jacqueline said: “Once I returned home, I started a campaign with the help of Somer Valley Rotary to collect books from local schools that would have ended up in landfill sites, with the aim of sending them to these children.”

6,250 books were catalogued altogether, but a high import tax (16-24%) had delayed them in crossing the African border.

Two weeks ago, students from Downside School presented a cheque to Jacqueline and Rotary Club President, Andy Downes, to help cover the import costs of the project.

Jaqueline said: “I was told when you go to Africa you come back a different person. It’s true – your perspective changes and it’s not about you, but the bigger picture.

“If only ten per cent of the students achieve a Higher Education, that’s a success – ten per cent more than before. Hope has been offered by Downside for the logistics of this donation.”

If successful, the project intends to donate books anually to Kenya, with the Rotary Foundation ideally donating a library for adults in future if possible, from the selected grants that are available.

As mentioned previously, if anyone can help, or has experience of sending items to Africa, please do get in touch.