STUDENTS have had a ‘life-changing’ two weeks in Uganda helping to improve education in poverty-stricken communities.

A group of 13 sixth formers from Darwen Aldridge Community Academy have been leading English and maths lessons to people living in slums in Kampala.

It is the third time students from DACA have gone out to the Ugandan capital for the project known as Afridaca, but this year’s group have also worked with children in the rural area of Mitiyana.

Due to its remote location, schools in the town have poor access to resources and teacher training so the DACA team has provided them with pens, pencils, paper and other essentials.

They also gave staff new ideas for learning and organised a sports festival for children to encourage the development of teamwork and problem solving.

Team member Katie Wright said: “I have always wanted to go to Africa and help those less fortunate then me.

“Raising the funds was hard work but also very enjoyable and like all the other students who travelled, I really enjoyed using the teaching skills and knowledge I learned to help.”

In the run up to the visit students and staff organised fundraising events to pay towards the cost of the stay.

Some students set up their own businesses and put the profits towards the trip.

In Kampala the group worked for the charity Link International which works with the Acholi people in the slums.

The Acholi people are from the North of Uganda and were displaced due to civil war.

Thousands now live in deprivation with no access to basic amenities such as schooling.

In Mitiyana, the team worked with the Peas Project, which exists to help all children in the region be able to have primary and secondary education.

David Cane, interim principal, said: “It is essential that young people from privileged places help young people from less privileged places to be able to enjoy the same opportunities and life chances as them.

“All students deserve credit for the hard work they put into funding and organising the visit and they will undoubtedly have had a very enjoyable and life-changing experience.”