MSP John Park Congratulates Carnegie Students On Raising £1000 for Malawi Aid Appeal

Enthusiastic Carnegie College students have reached their target of £1000 to provide a water pump for a village in Malawi. The students are all from the School of Access and Communities and attend the College’s Community Link course which helps those with learning disabilities extend their education, develop self-confidence and independent living skills. John Park MSP visited the College to congratulate the students on their achievement. John Park MSP said "I was delighted to be able to attend the Community Link Class at Carnegie College on behalf of the Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP, UK High Commissioner Designate to Malawi, to collect a cheque for such a good cause. I know the students worked hard to raise over one thousand pounds for the young mothers' projects in Malawi. They should be really proud of their efforts and it was great to have a chance to meet everyone on the day.’ He went on to say ‘I have laid a motion in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the fantastic achievements by everyone involved and I know the community groups in Chikwawa will really benefit from the money raised. It's a real example of just what the students at the ASPIRE Centre at Carnegie College and the wider community can achieve by working together.’ Alison Gray, Assistant Head of School of Access and Communities, speaking about the fund raising project said ‘As part of their course the students undertake a unit called ‘Participating in a Community Activity’. We heard about the Malawi project from our Assistant Principal Janet McCauslin and the students were very keen to become involved. The water pump will help provide clean water and eliminate the risk of cholera and other life threatening water-borne diseases. Water pumps also provide a source of irrigation for crops which help feed villagers and can act as a source of income. ‘The group organised a sponsored swim and made papermache piggy banks which they sold to their families and friends and to College staff and students in aid of this very deserving charity. Friends, staff and students have also made aprons for the midwives, crocheted baby blankets and produced artwork for the children's hospital walls. We are really proud of their efforts and the enthusiasm they all put into the fund raising. We were also delighted when John Park MSP agreed to come along and congratulate the group and to hear that we were to be mentioned at the Scottish Parliament.’ Photograph shows John Park MSP and some of the students with the piggy banks and the £1000 cheque.