A group of trustees and other active volunteer supporters of Under The Mango Tree (UTMT) visited Timboni School during January and February 2020. We are reporting back from that visit and relay the future plans discussed with the school and community.

As always, this trip was fully self-funded; no charity donations were used to help fund any part of the trip.

 Madam Agnes with primary school children in the UK

After much planning but inevitable Kenyan delays, Madam Agnes was issued a visa allowing her to travel to the UK, arriving at Heathrow late on Monday 18^th November.

 The purpose for the trip was for Madam Agnes to gain an in depth understanding of how primary education works in the UK with a view to taking good practice back to Timboni School whilst also educating British children about the importance of education in Kenya.

 Thanks must go to the following schools for hosting Madam Agnes:

 Barnton Primary School, Northwich – 2 days

Victoria Road School, Northwich – 1 day

Berkeley Primary Academy, Crewe – 2 days

St. Luke’s Church of England Primary School, Slyne-with-Hest, Lancaster – 2 days

Two key points that Agnes noted were around:

1. the high number of teachers and assistants in school

2. the plentiful supply of teaching and learning resources in school

 Some feedback from the children in Crewe was their surprise and lack of understanding of the comment by Agnes that children in Kenya would rather spend money on paying their school fee than buying a pair of trainers!

 During her visit Agnes was hosted by Angela and Gordon Atkinson, Jean Ball and by Karen and Noel Owens.

 Whilst ‘school work’ was the primary focus of her visit she did get the chance to see some of the local area including a visit to Chester City and a day trip to meet Under The Mango Tree supporters in Edinburgh. Agnes also met representatives from the Northwich and Winsford Methodist Circuit Kenya fund.

 Agnes returned home safely on Tuesday 3^rd December.

Madam Agnes with David Briggs, MBE, KStJ. Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire

All of Agnes’ travel and UK costs were funded by Under The Mango Tree or her various hosts.

Under the Mango Tree put up a stall at the Hartford Christmas Fayre and volunteers worked hard all day and raised a worthy £250. There were interesting conversations with a number of visitors and it was a pleasure to see so many friends and familiar faces.

Trustee Karen shows off the new Under the Mango Tree bag design available to buy for ONLY £3

(below) Gordon in his Christmas jumper with the Under the Mango Tree tea towel proudly displayed on the front of the stall, available to buy for ONLY £4

Our third annual get-together where we shared some African craft work plus other Christmas items to buy in order to raise funds for Under the Mango Tree. We are proud to report that a huge £600 was rasied on the day through the purchase of goods and plenty of coffee and cake. We would like to thank all who attended especially the children who repeatedly dragged their parents to the children's Tombola!

(Picture of bags made that contained tulip bulbs under our theme Planting Hopes and Dreams for Timboni)

Pre primary graduation day in October 2019.
These children will start in Primary 1 at Timboni School in January 2020. How fabulous.

Our good friends in Wrexham Rotary club hosted an Indian themed night with authentic food, music and entertainment. Each year we have attended and the