University Donates 2 Tonnes of Items for Container to Namibia
Staff across the University of St Andrews have donated educational resources for schools in Namibia, to help children in need.
Earlier this month, the Environment Team coordinated efforts to collect items for a container that was arranged by Madras College as part of their Namibia Teaching Program. Around 30 students from Madras are travelling Namibia this summer to work with kids in schools and organised this container ahead of their travels. See this website for photos of their 2011 trip http://www.madras.fife.sch.uk/news_events/namibian_trip_2011.html.
The appeal for resources went out under a week before the container was due to depart and despite the short timeframe we were hugely impressed by the outpouring of support from departments across the University. Schools and Units that contributed were: CAPOD, English Language Teaching, Environment Team, IT Services, Media Services, New Hall, School of Biology, School of Classics, School of Computer Sciences, School of Economics and Finance, and School of Psychology, and the University Library.
Thanks to their generous support a whole van load of goodies was collected which ranged from almost 10 overhead projectors, six computers, English language learning books, stationary and welcome packs with shampoo, soap and toothpaste and amounted to 2 tonnes of resources.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated and to Bill Close in the Grounds Department for his help with packing and transport!
Special thank you to WHSmith for donating office supplies (including disks for the new computers!) and to PHS Teacrate who supplied crates and other packaging materials (including loads of big bubble wrap!).
With everyone working together not only are we helping those in need of assistance in Namibia, but we are making sure that valuable resources are put to use and not wasted.
Keep your eyes open for future donation and reuse opportunities!