MP hails South Lakes pupils' partnership with Senegal

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has visited Old Hutton C of E Primary School to find out more about the pupils' links with a partner school in Senegal.

Local artist Claire Griffel helped to set up a link between Joachim Fode N'diaye Primary School in Senegal, West Africa and Old Hutton Primary School in 2012. Tim visited the school to see how the link works in practice and speak to the pupils about it. Tim had a tour of the school and saw pupils busy translating letters from their counterparts in Senegal.

Old Hutton Primary School has already raised over £800 towards buying solar panels for the partner school in Senegal, to give the school access to electricity. This means they are around two thirds of the way towards their goal of raising funds to buy a total of 12 solar panels.

Two Y4 pupils, Libby Astle & Lily Gray, raised £100 towards the Solar Panels For Senegal Appeal by asking for donations instead of birthday presents.

Tim said: "This is a unique link between the two countries, and it is wonderful to see it in action with letters being exchanged between pupils at the two schools. This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to gain a real insight into life and education in an environment that is radically different from South Lakeland. It was also great to hear about the school's superb fundraising efforts to help the school in Senegal get access to electricity by raising money for solar panels. The pupils are lucky to be part of this partnership, which is clearly of great benefit to pupils in both Senegal and South Lakeland. I'd like to thank all who have helped to make this partnership a reality."

Photo:

Tim with Claire Griffel & Y4 pupils Lily Gray, William Natlacen and Libby Astle.