LIVING and learning conditions in Bufumbo - Thornbury's "link" parish in Uganda - continue to improve.

An ongoing fund raising campaign, spearheaded by St Mary's Church members, has already seen the completion of a Thornbury-Bufumbo Health Centre - a facility which has already had a dramatic impact on local health care.

Now education is in the spotlight and youngsters are literally "off the ground" thanks to new desks bought with Thornbury cash.

"Money has been spent on the last 15 desks needed to ensure that every pupil at Jewa school has a seat and all 1,200 children are now off the ground," said Ann Hargreaves who, with her husband Alan and friends Kenneth and Fiona Mitchell, has just returned from another visit to the poor rural community.

"There was also great excitement over the new duplicating machine recently purchased thanks to contributions from several Thornbury schools. It means the older children can now practice exam papers to gain vital qualifications for secondary education."

Ann said the latest proposed project was for a dormitory block on the school site to provide sleeping accommodation for 80 girls in the last two years of primary education.

"Many of these girls drop out of school at this point due to domestic responsibilities in the home or arranged early marriages," said Ann.

"A project like this would help them to complete their primary education." The visitors also spent time at the health centre where more than 600 people have been treated since August.

"We met the two full time nurses, Sarah and Irene, and chatted to some of the patients," said Ann. "They were all delighted with the gifts of cot blankets, babies' clothes and Teddies, all kitted by the ladies of Thornbury. "

Systems were now in hand to allow the health centre to broaden its operations still further, she said.

"It was an inspiring visit and we left with enthusiastic thanks and hopes that the Thornbury-Bufumbo link would go on for ever. We also hope it will.

"As well as making a real difference for thousands of people in Bufumbo, it has also affected many people in Thornbury. We have all learnt a great deal from our brothers and sisters in a Third World country."