Pupils at a St Albans school will be attempting to raise thousands of pounds next week to help communities in Uganda become self-sustainable.

The student leaders’ team at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School, Colney Heath Lane, recently returned from a week-long trip to Uganda in aid of the Kiddies Support Scheme (KiSS).

Pupils, accompanied by several teachers, worked alongside KiSS to help families in Kasambya and Hoima to become self-sufficient communities, and provide access to education for their children.

A spokesperson for Nicholas Breakspear said the group visited local primary school St Don Bosco where youngsters “seemed happy and excited to learn, despite many of them having to wake up at around 4am to walk miles to school.

“They were all so grateful for the education that KiSS provided for them and they didn’t take any of it for granted, which has inspired and motivated us as a team to use the facilities we have in school and to respect the hard work of our teachers.

“We also had the opportunity to visit their agricultural site where we helped to put up a new fence to protect their land from neighbouring farmers.

“KiSS are hoping to expand by purchasing the maize field just opposite their agricultural land, which will help the community achieve their ultimate goal of self-sustainability, though it will cost them £8,000.”

To further support the charity, the team is hosting a fundraising week from next Monday (28) to help the school reach its target of £13,000.

KiSS Week, from November 28 to December 2, features activities such as a football tournament and Nicholas Breakspear’s Got Talent, with fundraising to continue through 2017 with events including a dinner dance and quiz night.

The school is dedicated to helping KiSS “because seeing the incredible work they do first hand has been a life changing experience for us all,” the spokesperson said.

If local people would like to contribute towards the total, they can visit @nbs_sl on Twitter or see https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nbs-studentleadershipteam-2016