Auchinleck Academy handed over 33 filled backpacks to Mary’s Meals – plus donations to fill several more – on the first leg of their journey to Malawi.

 Many children receiving Mary’s Meals don’t have basic learning tools such as pencils and notepads.

 You can support them to get the most out of their lessons by donating a backpack or a few of the things they need. For many children, a Mary’s Meals backpack will be the first gift they have ever received.

 Each backpack contains: notepad, pens, pencils, crayons, eraser, ruler, sharpener, pencil case, spoon, shorts or skirt, t-shirt or dress, flip-flops or sandals, towel, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, small ball.

 We are collecting all year round. Items can be cheap or second hand – please hand in any of these items, especially backpacks, to the school office at any time – Mr Lynch and Mr Deeney will ensure they help a child in Malawi.

 We also continue to raise funds to support our sponsored school, Jebbeh Kiazolu school in Liberia, and this is our main focus, together with Cumnock Academy.