Story
<p>As you all know, Zimbabwe is still very close to my heart and while I was fortunate enough to have had a great education in Zim (no sniggers!), most of those still living there today do not enjoy the same privilege. The state schooling system failed years ago and such basics as classroom blocks, desks, chairs and books are no longer available or are completely unaffordable to even the average Zimbabwean.</p>
<p>The Zimbabwe Rural Schools Development Programme aims to improve educational opportunities in rural Zimbabwe and to provide new facilities and resources by working in parntership with schools and other institutions. Makowe Primary School is situated approximately 150km NW of the capital Harare. Most of the local community are subsistence farmers with very little income and cannot even afford the US$20 termly school fees. Less than a year ago the school had only two pole and mud huts for nearly 200 pupils; some lessons were even taken outside under a tree.</p>
<p>The ZRSDP has since funded the building of two double classroom blocks to provide four classrooms each and has repaired the school water pump to provide clean drinking water. Makowe is now recognised as an 'official' Zimbabwe school, meaning the government is prepared to send better teachers.</p>
<p>Please follow the link here to see other examples of their great work: http://www.zrsdp.org</p>
<p>The founder of this programme, myself and a few others will be attempting to swim the English Channel as part of a relay team in the last week of July 2011 to raise further funds. We will each be taking hour long turns in 15C water with no wetsuits - just goosefat for insulation! Apparently sea sickness can be a greater challenge than the cold. So much to look forward to...</p>
<p>So please, each small donation will spur me on that little further to dodge those container ships and brave the effluent.</p>
<p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>