UNDER Tree Schools, a Kidderminster-based charity working in Southern Sudan, is reaching out to schools in Wyre Forest.

The charity was set up by Joseph Ayok-Loewenberg, a Sudanese-born priest and former member of the Sudanese Olympic team, who is now team vicar in the St George’s Team Ministry in Kidderminster.

Following recent elections, Southern Sudan is to become a separate nation, called South Sudan.

In 2000 in the area of Southern Sudan where Mr Ayok-Loewenberg was born, he and his wife Karin set up schools “under trees” during the country’s civil war.

That meant the children and teachers could easily run into the bush if there was fighting nearby.

A year after the civil war ended in 2005, the charity was established and has provided a permanent school for girls there in Malek Alel.

This project is being developed in partnership with members of the local community, who are being consulted on the way the school is run.

Local people are represented on the governing body and this year the school is beginning to provide education for adults as well as children.

There are also plans for vocational training alongside the academic curriculum.

The school, which has an Anglican Christian ethos, although children of other faiths or none are welcome, opened in April, 2009.

More than 200 girls aged from six to 15 are being taught in eight classes. The school buildings include eight classrooms, administrative offices, 12 accommodation huts for staff, a teachers’ meeting hut and toilets for staff and for pupils.

There is a borehole for water and a sports ground has been levelled.

The charity now needs to ensure it can pay the running costs of the school as well as raise funds to add a kitchen, a library and a chapel.

It also wants to establish links with Wyre Forest schools and organisations and has launched a website including new teaching resources.

Mr Ayok-Loewenberg said: “The website gives a real insight into the lives of the teachers and students of Ayok Anei Girls School.

“The material on the website is free. All that we ask is that schools register with us.”

For more information, visit the website, undertreeschools.org