PUPILS from a Wyedean school travelled to South Africa to see the life-changing effects their fundraising is having.

St John’s on-the-Hill School youngsters travelled from Chepstow to Cape Town to witness how the £3,500 they have raised has made a difference at the Isikhokelo Primary School in Khayelitsha.

The St John’s children worked hard to raise money for the school, which they visited on a three-week exchange trip, holding events like a sponsored readathon, triathlons and car boot sales.

They also organised a dedicated charity day at school, where the children experienced a traditional African dance and drum workshop.

Stephanie George, the St John’s teacher who organised the trip, said: “We have been visiting the school for a number of years and have built a close relationship with the wonderful teachers and children there.

“It is an underprivileged school and so we just wanted to help them. With the funds, we bought computers, printers, a year’s supply of ink, laminators and projectors, writing books, pens and reading books.

“Visiting the school was an incredible experience for all of our children – we joined their lessons, sang and danced together and played football.”

Anna Boyle, a Year Seven pupil at St John’s, said: “This was such an amazing trip which I will never forget. I have made friends for life on this exchange and I will be forever grateful for this experience. I had the best time ever.”

The South African Exchange has run for more than 14 years and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Year Seven children at St John’s. The children were taken on lots of trips in Cape Town, including a trip to Table Mountain by cable car, visits to the Cool-Runnings Toboggan Park, A Segway tour in Stellenbosch, a trip to Cape Point, ostrich encounters and an educational visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

They then travelled by plane to East London where they had a few days at the Stirling Primary School, learning the Afrikaans and Xhosa languages and playing the marimbas.

They also took part in Jonginenge activities, which included surfing, sandboarding, canoeing and rock climbing.

However, the pinnacle of the trip was the three-day safari, where the children spotted four out of the big five animals (rhinoceros, lion, elephant and buffalo), including a very close lion encounter.