Dream of African science school one step closer

A Capel couple’s dream to bring a specialist science school to children in Africa is a step closer after they received a donation.

Since 2010, Bronwyn and Les Mutton from Capel have been planning a self-sustaining secondary school which specialises in science.

They sold a private rental property in Perth and poured more than $400,000 of their own money into getting the school, Njelela, off the ground.

This week, Mr and Mrs Mutton received $5000 from South West company Harley Global — one of the few donations the couple has received to go towards building the school.

Mrs Mutton said the donation was wonderful and would go towards getting the school’s science lab operational.

“At the moment, we’ve got the buildings and equipment but the labs haven’t been completed, so it would be great to get suitable tables, sinks and connect the gas and water,” she said.

“We want to make this a science specialist school so the students will be able to get jobs in the mining sector or other big sectors — the government schools in Tanzania are mainly only humanities.”

Harley Global chief executive Sebastian Bolhuis said the company felt privileged to be able to provide support to those in real hardship.

“We understand that often it takes one individual to make a difference and as such we are delighted to be able to lend this financial support for a community who are seeking to make a positive change,” he said.