Amy’s about to realise her Tanzanian dreams

AN African adventure beckons for a teenager who is following her dreams to teach in Tanzania.

Amy Smith will spend four months working with classes of 80 children at a school on the slopes on Mount Kilimanjaro this summer - a far cry from her home on a Bostock farm.

The 18-year-old said: “The children walk between five and six miles a day to school and there are between 60 and 80 children per class - they’re really big.

“Teaching is not a well-paid job over there so as soon as it hits 3pm the teachers are off.

“But the children want to stay in school for as long as possible because they love learning, so at the end of the day there’s still 80 enthusiastic children there waiting to learn.”

Amy, a former Sir John Deane’s College student, is on a gap year before starting a degree in primary education at university in September.

While she is in Tanzania she will get the chance to teach English and other subjects and organise extra-curricular sports, arts and crafts activities.

But before she can go she needs to raise a total of £3,500 for the trip, which includes flights, medical insurance, medication and resources for the children.

During her gap year so far she has earned £2,000 through her three jobs at a cafe in Gadbrook Park, at the Kingfisher pub in Kingsmead, and at a shop in Davenham.

She is organising a number of fundraising events to make up the shortfall.

Amy said: “I’m really looking forward to going but it’s just getting all of the final things organised.

“I really wanted to go travelling but combine it with volunteer work and I know I would regret it for the rest of my life if I don’t do this.”

# A Songs for Africa concert to raise money for Amy’s trip will take place at the United Reformed Church, in Queen Street, at 7.30pm on Saturday, February 2.

Middlewich music teacher Joy Naylor has organised the concert with the town’s children, who will sing a selection of hit songs from the musicals.

Tickets cost £3 for adults and £1.50 for children and are available from Joy on 01606 836284.