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Day of the African Child Fundraiser

On Friday 17th of June, Weald students held a hat day to raise awareness for the Day of the African Child. Students from Year 7 – 10 were given the opportunity to donate £1 each and wear a hat to school.  This has very much been a student led fundraiser and all funds go towards Uganda Hands for Hope, which provides free education, food and clothing to the most vulnerable primary school children in the Kampala slums.  At The Weald, we work very closely with them, and we currently sponsor a child to go to school, based upon our last fundraising effort.

On Friday 17th of June, Weald students held a hat day to raise awareness for the Day of the African Child. Students from Year 7 – 10 were given the opportunity to donate £1 each and wear a hat to school.  This has very much been a student led fundraiser and all funds go towards Uganda Hands for Hope, which provides free education, food and clothing to the most vulnerable primary school children in the Kampala slums.  At The Weald, we work very closely with them, and we currently sponsor a child to go to school, based upon our last fundraising effort.

The Day of the African Child aims to protect all children’s rights, and within that, it tries to prevent early marriage, genital mutilation and abduction, and also aims to improve education standards throughout the whole of Africa.

The reason behind the students choosing to wear a hat as opposed to non-school uniform lies within the beliefs of the African culture which they have studied. Many African cultures consider the head as the centre of one's being - a source of the individual's identity, power, intelligence and ability. Adorning the head as part of everyday dress or as a statement is therefore especially significant. Therefore perfect for us to celebrate such an important event. 

In October, a group of students will be flying out to Uganda to keep a link between us, here at the Weald, and Namilyango College, the school they stay at in Uganda.  Whilst they’re out there, they will be looking at both the similarities and differences that our two countries have.  The students will also be visiting Hands for Hope to work on a project, as well as spending time in classes at Namilyango College.

Where does the money go?

There’s a new piece of technology which combines tablets and up to date educational resources, which comes in a robust box with the tablets inside.  This box provides a wireless hotspot wherever you are in the world.  The BRCK Box has been said to revolutionise education in Africa.  This could be where our fundraising efforts take us.

Follow the link to see what children in Africa do to celebrate this event. http://www.plan-uk.org/where-we-work/africa/zambia/day-of-the-african-child

Thank you for helping us in raising money and awareness for the Day of the African Child.  It’s not just about bringing in £1, but having a conversation with someone surrounding this topic.