AfricaLink
AfricaLink has been raising money for Community Aid Projects in Southern
Mozambique since 2004. The first project was a community Hydroponic farm for
local villagers near Inhambane. It was described by the Rt. Rv. Richard Chartres,
Bishop of London, as a prime example of Oundle’s “Abraham Spirit”
in the 450th Commemoration Service in St Paul’s Cathedral.
In 2006 pupils funded and helped to build a clinic for the village of Mashungu
near Pomene. Previously the local community had to travel more than 40 kms
to the nearest clinic for the most basic level of medical treatment. Our clinic,
situated on a hill overlooking the Pomene estuary, is staffed, equipped and
supplied with drugs by the Ministry of Health, and deals with minor injuries
and illnesses, and provides regular doctor’s clinics, mother and child
clinics and AIDS awareness programmes.
In February 2007 the southern coastline of Mozambique was hit by Cyclone Favio,
a Category Four tropical storm, and the worst ever experienced by Mozambique.
The town of Vilanculos was completely destroyed. Pomene Lodge and the nearby
Mashungu Clinic were severely damaged by 170 mph winds and a four metre tidal
surge. The 2008 AfricaLink project rebuilt the clinic, with a new roof, new
water supply, solar panels, generator and battery system, housing for the
clinic staff as well as further equipment and supplies for the clinic.
The 2010 project included building a bridge over a Mangrove swamp to improve
access to our clinic, as well as setting up a women’s sewing collective
at Pomene. This has given a group of local women a sustainable source of income.
Read about the trip in the News Section.
In July 2012 Oundle pupils will once again be heading for Mozambique. This
time the project is a new school building for the local primary school in
Pomene. The trip also involves a safari in the Kruger National Park in South
Africa and a journey through South Africa and Mozambique, with many opportunities
to learn about local ecology and culture.
Interested in getting involved?
All donations to the project will be gratefully received. We are proud to confirm that 100% of money donated will be spent on the project itself. The easiest way to donate is online through our JustGiving website. Gift Aid is automatically processed in these online donations. Cheques made out to Oundle School can also be sent to Andrew Martens, 36 South Rd, Oundle PE8 4BU. If you are interested in joining the next trip or would like to find out more, please get in touch with the Project Leader, Andrew Martens.