TV, games, nice homes and lovely food are all things we take for granted. How would you feel if everything that you loved, you had to live without? Some have nothing at all or a choice of what they own. Some people live with poverty.

Have you heard of Malealea? Malealea is a tiny community within the boundaries of Lesotho, a small landlocked country deep in the heart of Southern Africa. Over the years two secondary schools, The City School, Sheffield, and Royston High School, Barnsley, have travelled far and wide to the remote village of Malealea in Southern Africa. The schools continue to build a strong relationship within the community of Malealea. In 2005 the two schools ventured out on the expedition to Africa, leaving behind their communities, their family and friends. The 2005 expedition team carried out environmental and conservation work in the village, they painted the local primary school, helped with the school library. A two seated swing was constructed for the younger children of Malealea. The doctors worked closely with the village nurse, hundreds of trees were planted to help combat soil erosion. Following the 2005 expedition, a 2007 expedition is being planned as you read this. 30 Students, teachers, a doctor and an engineer will travel to the remote village and undertake yet more work to help improve the lives of the villagers.

What We Plan To Do

The 2007 expedition plan to undertake major environmental work such as constructing Eco friendly stoves which burn smoke free within the traditional rondevals. It requires less wood to be harvested therefore combating soil erosion also we intend to plant thousands of trees to combat soil erosion and reduce carbon dioxide levels in the village, we intend to develop small scale water projects such as rainwater collection and freshwater wells. We will provide the high school with education materials, provide assistance to create school gardens whereby the students can plant there own food. 

Fund Raising In order to be able to undertake the expedition the expedition team raise money through fundraising events, the money raised goes towards material needed for the work to be undertaken, flights to and from South Africa. We participate in such events as bag packing at local supermarkets, hold car washes and raffles. Hold race nights and car boot sales. Put on entertaining shows like a talent show or concert. Sell products such as key fobs and key holders, finally we are selling mini trees made out of paper, which people write a message on, we then plant  this tree with our thousands. A £1 a tree. This will help with our planting tree scheme to develop tree nurseries.

All this could not be achieved without the dedicated deputy head of The City School, Sheffield. Mr Ken Dunn. Ken Dunn has visited the village many times and hopes that future expeditions will take place. Ken Dunn is the one that has made all this possible and without him there would be no expeditions to Southern Africa. 

Visit… www.malealea.org.uk for more information!

Submited by Kurt Sullivan, age 14