A scout troop’s mission to bring a teacher from Africa to learn from Scottish classrooms has been described as phenomenal.
The 8th Fife (St Andrews) group raised £1,400 to fly Mercy Sakala to Scotland so she could learn ways of improving lessons for her pupils in poverty-stricken Zambia.
This week they met the head teacher who toured the country visiting schools and speaking to fellow teachers, at a special Scottish-themed reception at their St Andrews scout hall.
Project Mercy was launched after the youngsters heard of the work of Volunteer Zambia: Teach, a University of St Andrews initiative which supports Mercy’s school, Kazemba Primary.
Explorer Scouts leader Charmaine Duthie said they were captivated by a presentation by Cat Wilson, the university’s head of student development, in which they heard that many of the pupils are orphans.
She said: “It roused something in them all.”
The explorer scouts, scouts, cubs and beavers all did their bit, with fundraisers including cake sales, leg waxing and collecting enough pennies to create a giant crest on the scout hall floor.
Charmaine said: “I’m incredibly proud of them all and what they have achieved in a tight time frame.
“They put their heart and soul into it.
“Some of them are studying for exams but that didn’t deter them one bit.
“They appreciate the impact that this is going to have.
“For the scouts to meet Mercy, having raised the funds to bring her here, is really poignant for them.”
Cat said: “The scouts have indeed done a phenomenal job supporting Volunteer Zambia: Teach and making Mercy’s visit happen, and we’re extremely grateful to them.
“Mercy’s visit would not have been possible without the scouts and their generosity.”
She said Mercy had visited several local schools, including Lawhead Primary, Bell Baxter High School and St Leonards School, and the university.
Mercy said: “I appreciate the visit as I’m looking at the methods of teaching to improve education standards in Zambia and things that happen in Scottish schools that I can implement in Kazemba.”
Some of the money raised by the scouts will also fund further work by the project.