15231/10THE harsh realities of life for children living in Africa has been hitting with youngsters at Crockerton Primary School.

Headteacher Val Culff has returned home from a nine-day fact-finding mission in Zambia, bringing back with her a taste of Africa.

After listening to her experiences children have donated money to an African orphan,

took part in making traditional cookery, pottery and jewellery and even appeased angry tribal gods.

But the school has not dodged the controversial issues affecting African children including poverty, disease and war.

Mrs Culff said: "When I came back from Zambia I wasn't sure what to do with the experience, I knew it was pointless and unfair to preach at everyone.

"Soon I realised that what we should be doing is celebrating the wonderful history, culture and art of Africa.

"The history can be quite uncomfortable stuff for us to talk about, but I think we just need to be honest and let the children think about it for themselves.

"We have talked about apartheid and taught the older children about Nelson Mandela.

"Similarly, the health problems in Africa can be sensitive but very young children in Zambia are being taught about AIDS related issues and we need to talk-about this, just as we talk about malaria and dysentery."

The Africa project culminated in a fortnight of activities that finished last week.

Frome town councillor Sarah Hillman, who was born in Kenya and funds an orphanage for 30 children, visited the school.

On Friday the youngsters took part in a traditional African dance and produced tie-dye fabrics, printed patterns, chieftains' head-dresses and a fruit salad to offer up to tribal gods.

But Crockerton even has a genuine African link: pupil Nick Legg is one-quarter Zulu.

Mrs Culff said: "I think that a lot of us constantly see African people as victims always in need of our help and pity.

"I don't think this is the most constructive or accurate picture we can give our young people. Yes Africans do need our help but they are also doing a great deal to help themselves.

"I'd love to take the whole school out there but I'll have to be satisfied if just a few of the children have been motivated to travel when they are older."

Mrs Culff travelled to Zambia on March 27 with nine other teachers for a Teachers International Professional Development visit, jointly funded by the DfES and the British Council.