Over a hundred girls in Year 9, who opted for 'Textiles' this year have scored a first.  Six classes and four teachers were looking for a project which would not take up too many resources, as money is tight, which was creative and skillful and could be managed in school time.

From February half term each student took a square piece of material and used appliqué to design hearts, flowers, birds etc. made out of odds and ends of fabrics.  They then added embroidery to create background features and  words.  Special embroidery silks were donated by one of our teachers whose late mother had been a great collector.

The squares were then sewn together by their two technology teachers, Denise Ainsworth and Stephanie Hodgkinson to create dozens of baby quilts.

Next task was to find a home for the lovely creations.  Maths teacher, Gina Leake came up with the answer through her Salsa classes where she had heard of a Zambian charity 'Jack & Jill Orphanage School', which was desperate for donations.  A presentation was made to the founder of the charity, Phil Kaila but not before the students were treated to a master-class in Salsa!

Phil Kaila, of the Jack & Gill Charity said " In my country we have one and a quarter million children who are orphaned because of AIDS.

Some of the children in Choma are going to love these quilts.  I do thank these students and teachers  for their time and generosity."Teacher Denise Ainsworth said "It's been a really successful, cooperative project with excellent results."

Pic shows Denise Ainsworth and Phil Kaila.

Details of the charity can be reached at www.myhometown.org.zm