Hall will shelter pupils from African skies

A BLACK Isle school’s ambitious plan to build a new hall for fellow pupils in Africa has taken a leap forward thanks to a cash injection from an IT company.

Fortrose Academy is aiming to raise £30,000 to provide a hall for pupils at Mulanje Mission Community Day Secondary School in Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries.

Now, after a £900 donation from Fujitsu’s Impact on Society (IOS) Scotland fund, the fundraising pot has reached £21,000 which means phase 1 of the project can be carried out by December.

The academy has had a hands-on link with the African school since 2005. During this time there have been four trips by pupils and teachers from Fortrose to Mulanje to carry out important tasks, including HIV/AIDS peer education at the local youth club, conservation work on the spectacular Mount Mulanje and the planting of more than 100 rare Mulanje cedar trees.

Malawi is rated as one of the 10 poorest countries in the world and its 12 million inhabitants have an average life expectancy of just 39 years.

The mission school is a rural secondary in the town of Mulanje in the south of Malawi close to the Mozambique border, near the cities of Zomba and Blantyre.

The new hall will provide a covered meeting place for assemblies, exams, drama/music performances and social events for young people aged between 12 and 19. The school has no such facility at present and large meetings have to be held outside. Also, when exams are being held, many classes have to be taught outdoors.

The academy’s former rector Douglas Simpson contacted Fujitsu as a result of the partnership the firm developed with the school during the £66 million programme to upgrade the Highland Council’s office and school networks. Highland-based Fujitsu employees and their children have also been involved in the project.

Mr Simpson, who is a member of the fundraising committee of MUFOTO (Mulanje and Fortrose Together and one of the team that has visited Malawi several times) said: "We greatly appreciate Fujitsu’s generous contribution of £900 to our fundraising efforts.

"It’s the biggest donation we’ve had so far and will go a long way to helping us reach our target of £30,000."

The cash boost was also welcomed by Black Isle Councillor Dr David Alston.

He said: "I am delighted at this donation by Fujitsu, which will enable young people at Fortrose Academy both to help young people in Malawi and learn from the experience of developing such a major project.

"When the Highland Council enters into large contracts, such as the purchase of ICT services from Fujitsu, we expect to see some form of community benefit. In this case, Fujitsu’s contribution is making a real difference not only in the Highlands but in one of the world’s poorest countries."

Alastair Millar, Fujitsu Service Manager on the Highland Council project and chairman of the IOS fund, said the Malawi development is an inspirational and rewarding project

"It is encouraging to see young people involved in helping others in such a practical way that will have huge benefits for many years to come", he said.

"We are delighted that our contribution will help the work get started."