Tanzania: Supporting our Neighbours Across the World

Old Leightonian, Julian Page, visited Leighton Park on Wednesday 26^th January to share the charitable work of the Livingstone Tanzania Trust (LTT) with the school community. Leighton Park has a well-established connection with LTT through Inspire UK, a group responsible for managing adventurous overseas travel for schools with a chance to give something back. Over the last two decades, many Leighton Park students have enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Africa, visiting Tanzania, Malawi or Uganda, and supporting projects in villages through charities associated with Inspire UK, such as LTT.

Visiting the Year 11 and Pre-Sixth Geography group first Julian was able to focus pupils’ attention on to the role of women, the importance of water and the opportunity to make a difference. They were able to witness first hand images of Julian’s experiences in Tanzania and to hear how the good intentions of supporters such as the World Bank can go awry on the ground due to lack of sensible project management, materials and skilled workers, or due to corruption.

“It’s important to share this information with Leighton Park students because it is an opportunity to learn about the coal face; the practicalities rather than the theory of it.” Commented Julian, “It brings it to life!”

As a former pupil, Julian feels that the school has had a huge influence on the work he has now chosen. “The whole ethos of Quakerism is about keeping things simple and supporting your community. As the world changes your community stops being your immediate neighbours and starts being the whole world.”

Helen Taylor, Head of Sixth Form, who has accompanied groups of Sixth Formers to Africa to support LTT projects in the past is hopeful that they will be able to run again, once the pandemic restrictions have begun to ease. In the meantime, Julian is keen to encourage fundraising amongst our current students as donations have been under pressure during Covid-19. A fundraising cricket match is already in the planning for June and we are looking forward to supporting LTT through this community endeavour later in the year.