North Worcestershire Rotary Club support project in Africa

The refurbished toilet block at Isyalikila Junior School in Malawi marks the third collaboration between the Rotarians and The Bwengu Project - a Rugby based charity.

The charity funds and undertakes various education and community projects in the world’s poorest country.

Tony Melia, who runs The Bwengu Project, said: "The project involved the complete rebuild of the toilet facilities for girls at the school, which not only improved hygiene but also encouraged many more youngsters to attend regularly in this very deprived part of Africa.

“The existing toilets in all schools in Malawi are not nice places, consequently it is a major reason for the high rate of older junior school female absenteeism.

Before the facilities were upgraded.

"Our work includes adding wash-rooms for females. This in turn has affected attendance and exam pass rates. The support from Rotary has fundamentally changed the lives of many thousands of children and adults."

Other Bwengu projects, which range from renovations and building work through to providing school furniture, teaching kits and devices, have also been supported by Rotary clubs across the county.

Graham Mackenzie, deputy chair of North Worcestershire Rotary Club charity committee, said: “As a club we wanted to focus our efforts on the most deprived and underdeveloped countries where the need is greatest such as Uganda, Malawi and Rwanda.

After the facilities were upgraded.

“Our preference is to work with small and hands-on type charities which don’t carry a lot of overhead in the way that some of the bigger charities do.”

Headteacher at Isyalikila Junior School, Dawin Sikwese, said: “We sincerely appreciate this great gift to the people of Isyalikila, it has really transformed their lives. They are now able to read, write and complete simple maths, but more importantly, know their rights."