I recently returned from Mozambique, where I had the opportunity to see first-hand the challenges faced by the children attending Alto Molocué School. Located deep in the rural province of Zambezia, this remarkable school, run by two Catholic priests, has been providing education and support to 306 children between the ages of 3 and 14 since 2012. Many of these children come from broken families, some are orphans and others lack even the basic means to pay for school. Despite this, the school welcomes every child in need, making every effort to support each of them and give them a better future.

The school offers more than just an education - it is a safe haven where children learn basic skills and can even participate in practical workshops such as carpentry and sewing. The carpentry workshop at the school also provides employment for local people, who create, for example, benches for pupils in classrooms (in Mozambique, thousands of children have nothing to sit on during lessons). However, without any support from the government, the school is constantly struggling for funds, not only for extra-curricular activities, but also for basic needs and educational materials.

Currently, the school is facing an urgent need - a new bus. The current bus has been serving the children for six years and was already old and heavily used in South Africa when the school bought it. The roads in Mozambique are very bumpy, making transport very demanding for the vehicle and the passengers. Any breakdown threatens to leave the children unable to get to school, as there is no public transport in the area. The school bus is the only way for children to attend lessons. It travels up to 30 kilometres every day, taking the children to and from school.

That's why I am organising a fundraiser for a new - or reliable, used - bus that will serve these children safely for many years. Buying a bus is a huge expense for the school, but without this transport many children will lose access to education. The funds raised will go towards the purchase of the bus and any necessary equipment or future maintenance.

Please help to ensure that these young pupils have safe transport to school - and the chance of a better future. Thank you very much