Military instructors from the Armed Forces of Malta and the Irish Defence Forces, who were serving overseas in support of the EU’s Training Mission for Somalia have donated books and teaching materials to children in a remote village in Lbanda, Uganda.

The infantry instructors became aware of the children’s needs during their tour of duty.  They were informed that that the school catered for 525 children aged between three and 15 who lived in the surrounding rural villages. Some had to walk eight kilometres a day to go to school and back home.

Although partly funded by central Government, the school lacked basic requirements such as benches, chairs, tables and text books. No window panes or doors were in place and the school lacked basic sanitary facilities.

As a gesture of goodwill, the Maltese and Irish infantry instructors agreed financially assist the school out of their own pockets and asked the headmaster for a list of urgent items required.

The list included Mathematics exercise books, English grammar books, as well as reams of paper, stationary and sporting goods. 

The AFM regularly deploys Infantry Training Instructors primarily from C (Special Duties) Company to Uganda to train Somali Soldiers as part of Malta’s contribution to regional peace and stability in Somalia.  Fifteen AFM infantry instructors have served in Somalia.