LOUGHTON: Pupils get a taste of Africa with live link-up (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LOUGHTON: Pupils get a taste of Africa with live link-up

10:05am Monday 9th November 2009 in Your Local Areas By Daniel Binns

PUPILS at Davenant Foundation School got a chance to catch up with their peers in South Africa thanks to a hi-tech video broadcast organised to help celebrate links between our two nations in the run-up to next year's football World Cup.

Youngsters at the school, in Chester Road, Loughton, marked the second anniversary of their association with Kgorathuto High School in Botshabelo, South Africa, last Friday (November 6) with the live internet transmission.

The scheme is part of the 'Dream and Teams' project, which is designed to improve understanding between young people around the world and to develop leadership skills.

Among those attending the event was Euro MP for Essex, Richard Howitt, who is also a leading member of the European Parliament’s all-party sports group.

He said: “Links, like those being made here at Davenant School, with other students around the world is an excellent way of broadening cultural understanding and young people’s vision of the world.

“To be here to see for myself the ways in which young people are making global connections is wonderful.

"The links being forged here today will help set them up for life.”