Each Autumn Term, Year 9 take part in a project for the Kilimanjaro Young Girls in Need (KYGN) School in Tanzania as part of their PSHE programme. In small groups, they are challenged to raise as much money as they can for KYGN. They are also encouraged to be as creative with their fundraising endeavours as possible, rather than rely on the tried-and-tested bake sale! Part of the project also entails undertaking some research into the history of Tanzania, specifically the legacy of colonialism in the country.
The cohort really threw themselves into the project with gusto, engaging in a wide array of fundraising activities. To list just a few examples, the pupils washed teachers’ cars, made candles from scratch to sell, prepared a royal tennis event and social at Hampton Court Palace, organised a dog walking service for their local neighbourhood and walked the distance from Surbiton High School to the branch of Waterstones in Piccadilly Circus.
Their hard work and endeavour really paid off, as they raised a truly exceptional amount: over £8,000! This is by some distance the largest amount that a year group has raised in the history of this project and is testament to their excellent efforts.
Most importantly, it will make a very real and substantial difference to the lives and education of a group of young people who live in one of the poorest regions of one of the poorest countries in the world. Surbiton High School has a long-standing relationship with the KYGN school, and they are very grateful for all that we continue to do for them, as the attached video indicates! If you want to find out more about KYGN, you can visit their website here.
