POPPLETON school pupils have been praised for their work supporting Malawian communities.

At a presentation by head teacher Simon Barber on January 29, York Lord Mayor, Cllr Barbara Boyce, expressed her admiration for Manor CE academy's hands-on involvement with charity projects in Malawi, and presented them with certificates of appreciation on behalf of Rotary York Ainsty.

As part of an ongoing project in the school, the pupils have supported a variety of initiatives helping to promote health, hygiene and education for communities in rural Malawi.

For ten days last October a group of xxnumber tbc this morning year 10 pupils, along with Mr Barber and a number of staff and parents, visited the country in southeast Africa.

The girls in the party acted as ambassadors for the Rotary York Ainsty Days for Girls project, and visited a local school to present washable feminine hygiene kits.

The kits - which are destined for various communities supported by Rotary - are made at workshops held regularly in Nether Poppleton.

As part of the initiative, the female students showed the African girls how to make their own kits out of materials sourced locally to them.

The Manor CE academy party also visited a community special needs project for children - also supported by the York Rotary - and played with youngsters using equipment and materials gifted by the group, giving support to carers and parents in the simple village community centre.

During the special presentation in January, Manor CE academy gave an enthusiastic and colourful talk describing the group's visit to Malawi.

Quote from Simon Barber (head) this morning

Colin Perrott, president of Rotary York Ainsty, has pledged ongoing support for the academy's Malawian projects, and thanked the principal, students and staff for their excellent and engaging presentation.