THE Beath High School community is set to strengthen their Malawi connections over the coming months.

And they have been pledged the complete support of Cowdenbeath Rotary Club.

This follows a talk given by Beath rector Douglas Young to rotarians last week.

Mr Young reminded that the connection had been established through former Mendulo School headteacher Peter Mechenga several years ago.

Indeed, Mr Mechenga had been in Cowdenbeath and had met rotarians and through the connection they had made several donations which had helped pupils at Mendulo and also last year the club made a significant contribution towards relief work following a severe flooding in that part of Malawi.

Mr Young added: "Peter left Mendulo shortly after returning home but Beath's connection's with Malawi have continued and in October 23 pupils and staff from Cowdenbeath will be heading out to Africa to further the partnership with two new schools.

"These are Mapenga, not far from Mendulo and Njale in Thyolo, which is 20 kilometres away.

"Peter is now at Njale and is keen to continue the connection."

He was quick to stress that the plan is to have a partnership involving Beath and the two Malawi schools with so much to be learned by all sides.

Mr Young went on: "The idea is to have a joint curricular connection using the internet to allow pupils at all three enjoy activities together although we realise that this will require investment in terms of equipment in Africa.

"I would, however, like to think we could share things in subjects like English, music and art or even see the choirs of Mapenga and Njale singing at our awards ceremony in perhaps 2017.

"It is something that is tangible and can happen in the future."

He also spoke about the Beath community's wish to set up a scholarship plan to help children in Malawi complete their education.

One of the Beath teacher's, Fiona McNicoll, also spoke to the club about her trip to Malawi of a few weeks ago and what she experienced.

After hearing from the Beath representatives the club members agreed to support the school's Malawi connection.