Forth Region Scouts, which includes groups across West Lothian, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, and Stirling & Trossachs districts, are sending 47 scouts aged between 15 and 25, and leaders to the village of Omankange in Northern Namibia to help build a preschool building which will benefit 35 children.
WSP is donating £2500 which will pay for the installation of solar powered lighting to the building so that it can be used by villagers in the evening, for adult education, community meetings and as a base for a new scout group.
David Nicol, who is an associate in WSP’s Edinburgh office, is co-leading the expedition with responsibility for the building project.
He is using his technical knowledge for the site planning and building, ensuring the school will be safe for all who will be using it.
David said: “The Scouts are really excited to go out to Namibia and help build the new school which we know will benefit both the younger and older villagers in Omankange.
“We chose to support this project as the village is very underdeveloped and has been quite badly affected by drought. The village children, under the age of seven, are currently being taught under a tree as the nearest school is too far away to walk to.
“It is great that WSP is providing the funding for the solar powered lighting for the building, I am also working with colleagues to help make the design of the building smarter and more sustainable, ensuring that it is built to last.
“We want to thank everyone that has supported the project so far, we hope that we are able to deliver the people of Omankange a school that they can be proud of, and also a place that the community can use for years to come.”
The scouts are also installing a water borehole, complete with solar powered pump and 2,500 Litre water storage tank and fencing the site to protect from animals including wild elephants. The borehole will provide domestic water for the school, and irrigation water for the community garden.
The group will be camping on the site and working closely with their partnering organisation Scouts of Namibia.
They have been fundraising for over two years to fund the construction of the school and other works, with the total amount raised so far at just over £55,000.
ENDS
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