CHILDREN have made new friends at schools in Africa without having to leave their classroom.

Seven schools in Crook and Willington sent their headteachers on a ten-day mission to Tanzania which will be followed by a return visit in May.

Taking part in the visit were Carol Ward, from Crook Nursery, Antonella Lupton, from Crook Primary, Pauline Walker, from Hartside, Sue Smith, from Hunwick, Frances Gowland, from Our Lady and St Thomas, Willington, Barbara Simpson, from St Cuthbert's, Crook, and Bill Guymer from Willington C of E.

They travelled with Gill Blissett, from charity Development Direct which has formed links with primary schools in the Kilimanjaro area.

Their visit opened with a workshop exploring cultural differences as well as health, education, equal opportunities, housing and government agencies.

Frances Gowland said: "The exceptional generosity and kindness amidst poverty was overwhelming.

"Lessons were observed where children shared one textbook between 65 pupils and the main teaching resource was a blackboard.

"The workshop gave both English and Tanzanian schools the opportunity to learn about each other's culture and build upon each other's strengths to further develop how to work together."