Link Community Development
Link Community Development (LCD) is a registered charity and a non-profit organization that works on a grassroots level to improve the quality of education in rural schools across sub-Saharan Africa so that children and their communities have better life opportunities.
LCD works with over 400 schools in the UK and assists schools and communities in Africa including Ghana, Uganda, Malawi and South Africa. It corresponds with head teachers and other school leaders to improve leadership and management. It works with teachers to improve key areas such as literacy, numeracy and AIDS/HIV awareness. LCD also supports district departments of education and government education policies.
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| General Information |
| Programmes |
| Events and Activities |
| How to Contribute |
| External Links |
General Information
History:
LCD was founded in 1989 as Link Africa by students of Cambridge University who actively supported Black Education in South Africa. Separate partnerships were established in South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Malawi, Scotland and Ireland between 1995 and 2006. LCD continues to expand and is now probably the leading specialist Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in district school interventions
Vision:
LCD’s vision is a future where all children have access to free, quality education enabling then to flourish and fulfill their potential. LCD believes that education is a basic human right and fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Mission:
LCD aims to improve the potential of disadvantaged people to gain meaningful employment by sharing and developing appropriate skills through education and training.
Programmes
Global Teachers Programme(2001-2006): A professional development programme for experienced teachers and headteachers lasting 15 months. It included:
• A five week summer placement on a school improvement project in Africa.
• Follow up work in the UK, using the learning from the placement.
• Comprehensive training and support before, during and after the placement.
Link Schools Programme (Ongoing): A programme that allows UK schools to set up and sustain meaningful partnerships with schools in Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda. LCD currently links more than 800 schools. The activities and benefits range but generally include:
• Opportunity for teachers and pupils to share experiences and learn about real lives in Africa
• Ability to obtain first-hand substantial information about African countries
• Chance to develop global citizenship values, and decrease harmful stereotypes
• Ability to apply for an International Schools Award
Events and Activities
Morocco/Prague Hitch 2007: About 780 students literally hitch-hiked from the UK to Morocco (1600 miles) to Prague (800 miles) around Easter. Each student pledged to raise at least £300. The funds raised totalled £300,000 in 2007. The hitch is LCD’s biggest fundraising event.
Postcard Exchange: As part of the Link Schools Programme African and UK primary and secondary schools exchange thousands of postcards with a specified theme each year.
More events