A GROUP of volunteers from Neston, who have built a primary and secondary school in Sierra Leone, have spent the past week finishing one of the playgrounds.

OAKS (Overseas Aid for the Kids of Sierra Leone), was set up by Margaret Jarrette.

Margaret bought a piece of bushland in a poor area of Tikonko Chiefdom, south of Bo Town, and became determined to build a school for marginalised children. 

Other members include Nic Phipps (Trustee) and Laurel Parkinson (Associate).

Chester and District Standard: Pictured is Nic, Margaret and DavePictured is Nic, Margaret and Dave (Image: Dave Bladen)

The group's aim is to help the children of Sierra Leone through the process of education, allowing them the opportunity to make choices for their future.

On Tuesday, February 28 Margaret, Nic, Dave Bladen and Simon Coppack flew to Sierra Leonne to finish the last classroom at OAKS secondary school and complete the playground so the football and netball team could be formed.

Chester and District Standard: The digger coming to start work on the playgroundThe digger coming to start work on the playground (Image: Dave Bladen)

Dave said: "It’s been 38 degrees and very difficult to sleep. We have all purchased a small battery-operated fan to pop by our pillow and we are regularly taking malaria tablets and eating mainly African food cooked by the family we are staying with as well as fruit and pineapple for breakfast.

"We are happy with what we’ve done so far. Now that the caterpillar and digger are working to level the playground."

Dave also bought a battery-operated movie projector with him and the children watched Ice Age.

Chester and District Standard: The children enjoying Ice AgeThe children enjoying Ice Age (Image: Dave Bladen)

He also shared the story about triplets that The Oaks charity is starting to look after to get them fit enough to go to The Oaks School.

He said: "The smallest one is undernourished and we just paid for her to go to hospital to be looked after. 

"We also gave two of them biscuits for breakfast."

Chester and District Standard: The triplets enjoying their biscuitsThe triplets enjoying their biscuits (Image: Dave Bladen)

The four volunteers will leave Sierra Leone today (March 7) to make their journey back to Neston.

Dave continued: "We are going to have to leave the builders with the caterpillar and digger to continue while we are home.

"We have somebody here that can send us pictures as it progresses because it’s a slow process."