STUDENTS are seeking businesses to partner with their school to invest in the education of some of the poorest children in Africa.
An appeal by Emmanuel College, Gateshead, to raise £25,000 to mark its silver anniversary last year exceeded all expectations, with the final total reaching £45,000.
The money raised and donated by students, staff, parents and supporters is enough to build a new primary school in Tembisa, a township in a poverty and AIDS-stricken part of South Africa.
A group of student are busy raising money to travel to Tembisa in June during the college's community activities week when they will work in another school run by the Christian charity Love Trust and see where the Emmanuel-funded school is being constructed.
They are seeking business sponsors to help fund the trip but also to form a long-term corporate social responsibility partnership with the college to support Tembisa school and future education projects in Africa.
Student Bronwyn Riani, 16, of Burnopfield, explained: "Our involvement in South Africa is not a temporary measure. Our school will really make a difference to the lives of children, many of whom have been orphaned by AIDS, for a very long time and for generations to come."
The school, which will eventually grow to take children from 5-18, will be built out of recycled shipping containers and will generate its own solar power.
The group travelling on June 18 had to apply for the chance to go, explaining what they thought they could bring to the project and what they would get from it.
Dean Hara, 17, of Wrekenton, said: "For all of us it will be a massive step out of our comfort zone and will make us realise how much we have and take for granted."
Bethany Dunn, 17, of Whickham, added: "It's going to be amazing to be able to help people even in just a small way. It's important to show the children that there are people across the planet who care about them."
The other students going to Tembisa are Rhys Gilhespy, Rachael Reay, Jennifer Shannon, Chloe Rutherford, Katie Cuthbertson, Nicole Lambert and Louise Ridley, with teachers Dominic Bourn and Gill Lisk.
Mr Bourn said: "Our students are motivated by the chance to serve others but they will also take a lot from the trip themselves, developing their determination and resilience and meeting challenges head-on."
The students are organising a host of fundraising activities and events including cake sales, raffles, serving refreshments at the recent production of Oliver!, a 12-hour sporting marathon and a race night at Teams Club on April 22.
When they return they are keen to go into any businesses that support them to talk to staff and share their experiences first hand.
Businesses that would like to get involved should contact Mr Bourn on 0191 460 2099 or email bournd@emmanuelctc.org.uk