FOURTEEN St Mary’s students embarked on a journey to South Africa in June to deliver a leadership programme to a high school in one of South Africa’s poorest rural areas.

The Bambisanani Partnership, set up by David Geldart, former assistant headteacher at St Mary’s, has seen the school and Mnyakanya High School in Kwa Zulu Natal, working in collaboration for the past ten years.

This year’s visit was led by Giles Wilkes, supported by Tom Pringle and Eleanor Jackson from St Mary’s.

Chris Mullarkey, primary education tutor at Leeds Trinity University, also joined the group.

St Mary’s students Aidan Conlon, Oliver Armitage, Chris Ginty, Ryan Smith, Ben Hings, Sean Moorby, Leah Delahey, Amy Collins, Elizabeth Westhead, Jayda Etienne, Megan Lupton, Sophia Lenik, Joanna Ciesluk and Amelia Walsh used sport and literacy to develop and promote education, leadership, health and global understanding to the school children in the Nkandla region of Kwa Zulu Natal.

This year was a special one for the partnership as not only did it celebrate its tenth anniversary but, for the first time, Leeds University was also involved. Led by Andy Lockwood, the university students assisted a group of South African second year university students in delivering a series of leadership courses, as well as a cycling award.

As part of the programme, St Mary’s students prepared curriculum lessons for the Mnyakanya learners. Varied lessons were delivered, including how the heart works, the great fire of London, geography, English and a French lesson, which included a rousing version of Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes – in French, of course. All lessons were engaging and interactive, delivered brilliantly by St Mary’s students.

Throughout their ten-day visit, the St Mary’s team taught South African students how to organise and deliver a mini Olympics, inspired by the forthcoming 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. This culminated in Mnyakanya High School hosting a sports and literacy festival for 100 local primary school children. This was a tremendous success.

Developing leadership and inspiring students through sport and education was the initial aim of the Bambisanani Partnership. The young South African learners were empowered and they learnt a range of skills, which will help them as they continue their school lives.

As part of the annual leavers’ awards assembly, Mnyakanya High School was presented with 14 football shirts donated by The John Paul II Foundation 4 Sport. The John Paul II Foundation 4 Sport was launched by Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to the UK in 2010. The Foundation is inspired by Pope John Paul’s own vision of sports’ unique potential to develop individuals and communities.

Mnyakanya High School is the first school in South Africa to be invited to join the prestigious John Paul II Foundation.

During their visit, the St Mary’s team also worked at an orphanage. The Zulufadder Orphanage and Day Care Centre supports and cares for HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children throughout Kwa Zulu Natal. St Mary’s students spent time singing, dancing and reading with the children. The visit to Zulufadder was a hard-hitting reminder of the disparity between the two countries, but it reinforced to all involved that the good work of the Bambisanani Partnership must continue.

The visit to South Africa clearly had a tremendous impact on St Mary’s students. When asked to reflect on the experience, head boy, Oliver Armitage, said: “The Bambisanani Partnership allowed me to fully embrace a new culture, where appreciation for all you have counteracts the desperation that is so prevalent in some areas.

"I feel as though I developed an understanding for the different behaviours and ways of life, and the process of tackling the language barrier has enabled me to deliver information more effectively to certain audiences. A truly humbling experience.”

Head girl, Amelia Walsh, said: “The visit to South Africa was an eye-opening experience.

"It made me realise how lucky we are and how we take so many things for granted. I felt so touched that they have such big dreams and are willing to do everything in order to live out these dreams. This experience changed me as a person as I constantly consider my actions and their effects on others locally and globally.”

Mr Geldart, founder of the Bambisanani Partnership said: "Now in its tenth year, this remarkable project continues to inspire young people from both countries to work together and learn together.

"The power of sport has been utilised very successfully to promote education, health, leadership and global citizenship. The Bambisanani team and its network of supporters deserve enormous credit for their work that is truly changing lives."

Visit bambisananipartnership.org for more details about the project.

Contact Catherine Chattoe via c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org to support the scheme.