THE chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership, David Geldart, has praised the work of volunteers and supporters in an end of year review.

The multi-award winning Wharfedale based charity has gained international acclaim for its work using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas.

From an initial visit to South Africa in 2006, which established a partnership between St. Mary’s, Menston and Mnyakanya School, the partnership has gone from strength to strength, becoming a registered charity in 2015. Two pioneering student volunteers visited South Africa in 2007 and since then over 200 more have followed (from St. Mary’s School, University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University) to deliver the various Bambisanani programmes.

Other statistics clearly indicate the significant development and impact of the charity:

Over 500 South African students have gained Bambisanani Leadership awards; over 2000 South African students have participated in Bambisanani Sports Festivals; over 1500 South African students have participated in Bambisanani Reading Festivals; over 1000 orphans have been supported into school by the partnership; over 3000 South African students have participated in Bambisanani learning activities; over 1000 UK/SA students have engaged in joint learning activities involving various curriculum areas.

More than ten schools, two universities and an orphanage are now involved in Bambisanani activities; more than 50 teachers/lecturers from the UK and SA have visited each other’s countries; over 200 UK/SA student volunteers have gained the National/International Diana Award in recognition of their outstanding volunteering/leadership work in South Africa; over £450,000 raised to support Bambisanani Partnership activities.

David Geldart said: “Our student volunteers are remarkable young people who want to make a difference in the world. They are prepared to work in the most difficult of circumstances for the sake of others and learn so much in the process. Whist the statistics are impressive, they only ever provide part of the picture: behind and in front of all the numbers are real people with amazing stories to tell about how their lives have been changed in some positive way by the partnership. Our supporters are absolutely fantastic and I cannot thank them enough for their outstanding commitment to our work. We have ambitious plans for the future and this will only be possible with volunteers and supporters.”