Springfield pupils learn lesson in reality of life in Peru

​Children usually go to school to try and better their own lives and enhance their future prospects, but Year Five pupils at Springfield Primary School in Sunbury on Thames have had an added incentive to work recently – improving the lives of children in Peru.

​Students have been raising money for Surrey-based charity Project Peru, which helps support a children’s refuge in the capital city Lima, giving hope, homes and educational support to children aged between three and 18 which their families are not capable of doing.

Two volunteers from the charity visited the school and told students about its work, as well as showing them pictures of the shelter and explaining the practical impact of their funds they have been raising, and how it can change the lives of children of around their own age.

“We’d been looking at Peru in history and geography, so I wanted to find a way to bring the country to life for the children, and this was the ideal way,” said teacher Hannah Gregson, who came up with the idea.

“The volunteers from the charity came in and showed us what they do, and it really brought home to the children how they could make a direct impact on helping improve the lives of others.”

Puppets and bracelets made at the Lima shelter were put on sale at Springfield, which is part of the GLF Schools group, and so far over £500 has been raised towards supporting the project.

“It’s been a real eye-opener for the children and one that they have really taken to and become involved with,” said Ms Gregson. “The whole Springfield school family has got behind it – it takes £1000 to support a child at the refuge for a year, and so far we’ve already raised over £500, so we’re well on the way to making that difference for someone. It’s nice to feel that the benefits of our school community can stretch so far beyond the school walls.”