AFRICA and Southwick may seem poles apart but children have brought them closer together.

Pupils and teachers at Southwick Primary School have spent years building links with a school in Zambia and this week teachers Anita Muletambo and Mandalena Chenda braved the cold to pay them a visit.

Southwick teacher Paula Bartlett said: "They loved it. They interacted really well with our pupils and picking up lots of things they hope to be able to use with the children in Zambia. "It is very much a two-way thing because we saw things when we went out there that we can use here. "This is the first time either Anita or Mandalena have left Zambia. As well as teaching in school they have been very busy sightseeing. "Although they are enjoying their time in England they are finding it rather cold."

Four teachers from Southwick went to visit the Mary Aikenhead School in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, last year to work with pupils at the school, all vulnerable young girls. They learned more about the Zambian education system and met 21 girls who, without the help from fundraising in Southwick, would not be getting the education they need. Mrs Bartlett said: "They have 60 children in a class but the rapport and what they achieve is wonderful.

You can just stand back in awe. They made us feel so at home and they have even put our school logo up on the wall next to theirs." The two schools have been linked for the past three years and staff from Southwick have made several trips to Africa, taking equipment.

Pupils in Southwick have raised thousands of pounds to help the 550 girls, aged 10-22, many of whom are orphans or from families who could not afford to pay for them to be educated beyond the age of 13.