More than 15 tonnes of educational equipment is being distributed to under-privileged schools in the Paarl region of South Africa, thanks to a newly-formed partnership between WER and an enterprising group of sixth-form students from London.

In preparing for the recent move of Greenford High School in Ealing to new premises, a sixth-form Enterprise Group at the school was given the task of managing the disposal of 'old' school equipment. The students decided they would like to see the equipment put to good use in developing countries rather than risk it ending up in landfill here in the UK.

One of the students, 18 year old Ishtar Saleh, found international development charity World Emergency Relief (WER) on the internet and arrangements were soon made to ship the equipment to schools in South Africa and Uganda.

"The equipment would have had limited use or value here in the UK," says Ishtar Saleh. "It seemed like it would be such a waste, so I thought I'd see if children somewhere else in the world might be able to benefit from it. I looked at a few different charities online, but WER's website was really focused on children so I figured they might be able to help - and I was right."

The equipment donated by Greenford High School includes reading and text books, classroom furniture and technical equipment such as drills and lathes and is now being distributed by WER's local partner in South Africa, Monte Christo Ministries (MCM), to schools in the disadvantaged region of Paarl.

WER has been working in South Africa since 2004 to deliver educational equipment to schools in some of the country's poorest communities and is currently developing a Football and Community Programme in the region in the run-up to the 2010 South Africa World Cup.

"The Greenford High School donation will make a huge difference to children in Paarl," says Alex Haxton, director of operations at WER. "Education is the only route out of poverty for most of these youngsters, which makes the importance of donations like this all the more tangible. We have direct contact with the schools and communities which will benefit from these donations so know they will make a significant difference to the education and lives of many children."

A second 40' container of equipment from Greenford High School is due to arrive in Uganda within the next week and will be delivered to Almond School in Lira district, where WER has been working since 2001 to support children and their families affected by conflict and instability in the region.

For more information on WER or to make a donation to support our life-saving work, please visit www.wer-uk.org