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Burgeoning links between Swansea University and Botswana are continuing to bear fruit, with two new postgraduate scholarships for Botswanan students being established, and children in disadvantaged areas of the African country receiving donated rugby kit to allow them to play.
A small team from Swansea is visiting Botswana, to help get these new initiatives off the ground, and to explore other possible links, such as offering English language training via the University's own service - ELTS.
The scholarships, set up in conjunction with Swansea's International Development Office, will allow two Botswanan students to study at Swansea University.
The Swansea team will also be visiting the Tlamelo community project, which began in 1999 in response to a growing need to support vulnerable children in the Botswanan capital, Gaborone. 180 children are currently supported through this project and receive education, food and rugby coaching.
Picture: boys at a rugby session at the Tlamelo project in Botswana.
The team are taking with them over 100 rugby jerseys donated by Swansea schoolchildren, which will be presented to the Tlamelo project. Andy Thomas, head of sport at Bishopston Comprehensive school, and Ken Thomas from SOS Kit aid, organised the kit donations.
Jo Parfitt, acting head of ELTS, said:
"I'm fortunate enough to not only visit Botswana with Swansea University representing English Language Training Services, but to have a chance to show disadvantaged children in a community project how much my local community cares.
I have been overwhelmed by how my local school have donated over 150 rugby shirts, and how everyone has embraced this."
This new link-up follows another rugby connection between Swansea University and Botswana. The University’s School of Management has lent its support to the Botswana national rugby team - The Vultures - by sponsoring the squad for the 2014 Africa 1C Six Nations rugby tournament.
Picture: children wearing some of the rugby shirts donated by Swansea schoolchildren for the Tlamelo project.
Jeff Heasman, a director at The Pyramid Group, has been working with Swansea University for the last year, raising the university’s profile in the region, building professional networks and recruiting students to study at Swansea.
He also lectures at Swansea University, teaching incoming students English language skills before they start the academic year.
Jeff Heasman said:
“It’s great to see such a fantastic linkup between two flagship organisations for a key African sporting event”
- Monday 17 November 2014 09.49 GMT
- Monday 17 November 2014 09.44 GMT
- Public Relations Office