ADVENTUROUS pupils from a Port Glasgow school who took part in a mercy mission to Malawi are planning a return visit.

St Stephen’s High School sent five teenagers and two staff members on an international aid mission to Bangwe in the Blantyre region, where they helped build a new nursery.

The school is now planning another trip in 2021 and have already had representatives from organisers Classrooms for Malawi and the Scotland Malawi Partnership in to speak to pupils in third and fourth year.

Classrooms for Malawi CEO Amy Blake and member Andrew Vincent joined Scottish Malawi Partnership representative Gemma Burnside at the school.

Mark Parsons, PT Guidance, who went on the trip this year, said: “We are already looking to go back in 2021.

“The whole process last time from getting names, fundraising and organising seemed rushed so by starting to plan now we hope to be better prepared.

“It helps having the experts in and have them share their experiences with the pupils who have had a chance to ask questions - and already a number of them seemed interested.”

Mr Vincent said he was impressed by the pupils' questions and genuine interest in the topic.

He added: “Telling these pupils that they can make a difference and show them what they can achieve is great.

“We have been to explain about the travel, how they will experience a different culture and what they will be involved in doing in Malawi.

“A lot of them were shocked by the stories of the poverty and what life is like for these people. They took the opportunity to ask questions and all seemed interested, so hopefully there will be a good group for the next trip.”

Ms Blake added: “Being around a group of young people like the St Stephen's pupils and seeing their interest in something so topical and important is really inspiring.”

Ms Burnside, youth and schools officer for the partnership, says she was also delighted to be able to speak to the pupils.

She told the Tele: “I think it is really important people are aware of the link between Scotland and Malawi and it is a great opportunity for the pupils to interact with their peers in another country.

“It is the young people who will carry on the link so it is great to be able to try and get them involved.”

The school will be finalising a list of names for the trip in the next few months.