Work in Uganda is child’s play for Leamington woman

Rhiannon Jenkins, aged 20, will spend around a week in the country working for the charity East African Playgrounds.

In August she will be with 20 fellow Nottingham University students building the playground, said Rhiannon, whose family live in Southam.

Rhiannon, who went to Trinity School in Leamington, is on a three-year animal sciences course.

Before the playground work, she will spend a week climbing and trekking in the nearby Rwenzori mountains, which border the Congo.

Uganda’s border with the Congo has been the scene of conflict in recent years but Rhiannon is confident that the charity and Ugandan guides will steer them clear of trouble. “So it’s fingers crossed that we’ll be in safe hands,” said Rhiannon.

She is hoping to raise at least £2,750 for the charity, which also improves school buildings and trains local people to build playgrounds to help them into employment.

Rhiannon said although some people might not think building playgrounds is important, research has shown that having a playground improves attendance at school and makes children more likely to pay attention in class.

“It makes them more likely to get out of poverty through education, as well as providing employment for people in the charity and beyond.

“Education is very important, but children need to be allowed to be children and enjoy play. By building playgrounds they are not having to play in rubbish dumps and the risk to health that goes with that.

“If anyone can spare a few quid for this it’s going to a very worthwhile cause.”

Donate via www.virginmoneygiving.com/RhiannonJenkins2 or send a cheque payable to East African Playgrounds at Rhiannon’s home at 41 Millholme Close, Southam, CV47 1FQ.