A SCOTTISH charity has gifted 500,000 school bags to impoverished children in Malawi.
Mary’s Meals achieved the milestone after starting The Backpack Project in 2005.
The Scottish-based school-feeding charity began by transporting lorry-loads of used school bags, which are filled with educational and hygiene items. The project has since gained support from churches, schools, clubs, workplaces and other organisations.
The 500,000th backpack was handed out during a visit to Junior Primary schools Chigubudu and Ngabu, in the south of Malawi.
Lagia Navala, 13, a pupil at Ngabu Primary School, said: “Inside, I found a dress, pens and a hardcover book. I will use the bag every day to carry pens, and books when I am coming to school.”
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