Oldham students organise expedition to support children in Ghana

Caring teenagers at a top Oldham school are organising a touching expedition to support needy children in Ghana.

Oldham Hulme Grammar School students aim to set up a scholarship fund to help students of Kwahu-Tafo attend the school. 

And, as part of the mission, Libby Procter, aged 14, from Saddleworth raised £287 at the local Great Get Together by selling decorated, hand-turned wooden items along with handmade cards and bottle lanterns.

"My Grandad has help me by donating his time and materials to provide me with a collection of hand turned items," Libby explained.

"We will be building a new library for the children of the village, many of which currently don't have the money or resources to attend school regularly.

"We will take as many items with us as possible as we will be giving up most of our luggage allowance to school books, children's clothing and other items.

"And we'll return home with only the clothes we will be wearing because we are donating all of our possessions to the village."

She went on: "The conditions are very basic, with  only running water only for a few hours a day,  and our working day will start at 6am, so this is certainly not a holiday!

"One of the main challenges for me is having to raise £2,700 over 18 months to fund the trip. 

"I have to build and carry out a fundraising plan and cannot use savings or ask family just to pay the money.

"The £2,700 includes flights, insurance, equipment, medicine and our stay in the village."

Libby is approaching local businesses, individuals, charity groups with ideas on how they might be able to help her create opportunities to fundraise.

At Christmas, supported by her father Michael, a member of Saddleworth Round Table, she is hosting a stall at Table's Santa Dash.  

Previous OHGS expeditions have worked to build a library and a cafeteria. 

The scholarship fund will help students in Kwahu-Tafo attend school, their schooling often finishes after Junior High School when the family can no longer afford to send them to school.

Hulme's direct link with the Kwahu-Tafo Progress Council means every single penny raised gets passed on directly to the young people and has a huge impact on accessibility of education.

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