Closing school's aid for Uganda

As well as equipment and furniture, pupils held their own gift collection

A school which will close next year is sending equipment it no longer needs to help pupils in Uganda.

Bedwellty Comprehensive in Aberbargoed, south Wales, has forged links with a primary school in Sironko for the past four years, through the work of a project led by former pupil.

Old furniture, cupboards and books were loaded onto a container, as well as Christmas presents of toys, pencils and rulers from pupils. Bedwellty is closing next summer due to falling pupil numbers.

In previous years, Bedwellty pupils have raised money to sponsor Ugandan orphans and then helped towards the building of Kings Primary School.

The charity Ezra has helped build the school for 60 six-year-olds, with places for another 60 available in February 2005.

The charity said the school was short of resources, with pupils sitting on logs in class, with not enough tables, books, or sport equipment.

Pupils in Uganda should receive the equipment before Christmas

Meanwhile, the 83-year-old Bedwellty school is closing after years of campaigning by parents to keep it open.

The decision was taken last year with pupil numbers at Bedwellty falling to 400.

Caerphilly Council said it has 2,948 surplus school spaces.

Pupils studying for their GCSE exams have already been transferred to neighbouring schools to reduce disruption.

'Truly amazed'

The school decided to donate surplus furniture and equipment it no longer needed.

Bedwellty head teacher Sally Hyman said: "This is showing that other people are less fortunate than us.

"It's an opportunity to share our good fortune with others and it's also a positive thing we're doing in that we're taking away the bitter pill of closing, if you like."

Pupils will take up places at five local schools: Heolddu Comprehensive, Rhymney Comprehensive, Lewis School, Pengam, Lewis Girls Comprehensive School and Blackwood Comprehensive.

A spokeswoman for Caerphilly council said: " We are very pleased that our equipment is being used for such a worthy cause."

Ezra charity project leader Mary Griffiths, a former Bedwellty pupil, said: "I can just see the faces of the children when they see it - they're going to be so excited.

"And the staff too, because there is stuff they can use: blankets for the accommodation block and cooking pots. I'm truly amazed by the generosity."

The container is due to arrive in the Ugandan village in December.

Ugandan education minister Beatrice Wabudeya visited the school on a visit to Wales in October and received gifts and the school badge - a phoenix - which Bedwellty pupils hope will be a symbol of rebirth at the school in Uganda.