TWO Rawdon school pupils have learned that helping their counterparts in South Africa can be an inspiring experience.

In October last year David Geldart, Assistant Head Teacher at St. Mary's school in Menston, visited South Africa to establish a school sport partnership with Mnyakanya High School in the remote, rural and desperately poor Nkandla area of Kwa Zulu Natal.

The two schools have since committed to a joint agreement which will lead to developments in both countries. A major focus of the work is developing young leaders.

The initial focus is through sport and, as a Sports College, St. Mary's has been keen to involve other local schools in the initiative.

Mr Geldart made a return visit to South Africa taking two students from Benton Park School, Libby Aspden and James Scott. Libby and James were selected by the St. Mary's partnership as outstanding Young Ambassadors with a remit to promote sport within the Partnership and beyond. A key impetus for this work is the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The visit, which was supported by the British Council and the Youth Sport Trust, involved Mr Geldart, Libby and James spending time at Mnyakanya High School and then in Johannesburg.

Following a 5am start on the first day in Kwa Zulu Natal, Mr Geldart, Libby and James were responsible for delivering a full days in-service training to sports assistants, teachers ad school principals on various aspects of sports leadership and coaching. Libby and James led specific sessions on fair play, warm-ups, netball and football.

Ayanda Nolovu, from the South African Department of Recreation and Sport, described the day as an outstanding contribution to sport development in the local community. People were amazed by what two 17-year-old students could deliver with such knowledge and confidence'.

Most children in the area walk at least four hours a day for their education. Mr Geldart has described the desire of children to learn in the area as inspirational. He said: "Students in the area have a drive and ambition to learn that many students in the UK could learn from."

In one impromptu session after school, James and Libby were asked by a small group of students if they would teach them some Physics.

James and Libby agreed and within a few minutes more than 20 students were being taught Vectors by James and Libby.

Mr Geldart said: "You had to be there to believe what was happening it was absolutely wonderful. After one-and-a-half hours of teaching physics the South African students asked if James and Libby would teach them some biology which they did much to the delight of the students and myself."

While working in the community the three were able to distribute some of the football shirts to local children which had been donated by St. Mary's students and members of the Kaiser Chiefs pop band.

Local children were also given a football from Mr Geldart. On Mr Geldart's first visit he found that children loved football. They did not have a proper football but instead they played with plastic bags tied together.

Since this initial visit the St. Mary's community has raised more than £3,000 for much needed equipment for the school. Mr Geldart acknowledged the specific support he had received from Sport England, the Football Association and Nike UK in terms of equipment.

He said: "It is great to see this equipment in action, it clearly means so much to local children and will help make a difference."

During their stay in the Nkandla region Mr Geldart, Libby and James were invited to meet Vice President of the ANC Jacob Zuma who was keen to praise the work of the St. Mary's Partnership.

They were also visited by the local Zulu Chief who was also keen to praise work to date and possible development in the future. St. Mary's has agreed to fund at least 20 local orphans into school who currently cannot afford to attend. Mr Geldart said: "It is significant that all the local decision-makers in the community are supporting our work; this will help long term sustainability."

After spending several days in the Nkandla region the three together with Mr Lucas Dube, principal of Mnyakanya High School, together with teacher Lanford Mlambo and students Lucky Mkhwanzi and Bongiwe Maphumulo travelled to Johannesburg for a joint South Africa and UK Fair Play convention involving other schools from both countries. This culminated in the students planning and delivering a Sports Festival in Sowetto to local Primary School children.

Mr Geldart was full of praise for what Libby and James had achieved during the visit. He said: "Libby and James visibly grew as young people during their stay. They have had an opportunity of a life-time and they have responded in amazing ways.

"They are a credit to themselves, families and their school. They have convinced me that taking students to South Africa must become an annual aspect of our partnership."

James said: "The experience was life-changing in ways that I would not have imagined. The experience has changed my outlook and perspective on life; I have learned so much and I am inspired to do more."

Libby said: "My world has just got bigger, I have realised that it is my duty to be a global citizen."

Thora Jacobs of the British Council in South Africa also praised the work of the St. Mary's Partnership. She said: "The St. Mary's approach to international work and developing global citizens deserves special credit for its vision, energy and effectiveness."