Aramex helps UK school children boost facilities at link-school in Malawi

New resources grow library by 200%, computers installed and new football kit delivered

London, November 9th, 2007: It was smiles all round as the new autumn school term started in both Hampton, Middlesex and Lilongwe, Malawi.  Thanks to the fundraising efforts of children, staff and parents at Hampton Junior School and the logistics skills of Aramex, youngsters at the Shareworld Moral Elite School in Lilongwe started the new term with a whole array of new equipment and books.

Like all schools in Malawi, the Shareworld Moral Elite survives on very few resources, but very resourceful teachers, so any additional equipment which can aid the learning process and the education of the children is very welcome. Over several months in the summer term this year, the Hampton school collected old – but fully working computers, books, football kit and art equipment. Fund-raising events were also held for the school in Lilongwe, with 100% of the money raised going to Africa.  But the question then arose of how to get the boxes of equipment to such a remote place?  Into the breach stepped Aramex.

„Helping to make such a tremendous difference to the lives of so many young people was something we simply had to get involved in“, says Aramex‘ UK Operations Director, Rachel Roots.   „There is nothing more important than a good education if you are going to be equipped for life and this shipment will make a huge impact on the lives of these children, not just now, but in the future too“.

Assisted by some of the young people involved in the fund-raising in Hampton, Aramex collected the boxes from the UK school and volunteered to bear the cost of packing, logistics and airfreighting the shipment to Lilongwe, where the UK school’s Deputy Headteacher, Graham Mabelson was on hand to collect them.

„The children at the Shareworld school range from 4 -20 years so there is an ongoing and continuous need for resources – as there is  in all schools in Malawi.  Thanks to this one shipment, the books and reading material we brought over have probably increased the Shareworld’s school library by some 200% and the other equipment and material will be of huge benefit to the entire school,“ says Graham Mabelson.

ABOUT ARAMEX
ARAMEX (PJSC) listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM: ARMX) – is the leading provider of total transportation solutions in the MENA region and South Asia, offering express delivery, freight forwarding and logistics solutions. Founded 25 years ago, Aramex employs more than 6,130 people in 240 offices spanning five continents and has a strong global alliance network offering worldwide presence.

ABOUT LINK SCHOOLS
Link schools aim to establish links between real schools across the world.  The benefits to both sides are numerous and include projects to share information between pupils through letters, and if possible the internet.  This requires both ends of the project to have internet access and is one of the primary reasons Hampton Junior School wanted to send computers in the shipment to Malawi.

For further information, please contact:
Ashraf Al Shakaa    or  Cathy Howe
Public and Investor Relations Manager (GCC),  Pilot Marketing Services,
Tel: +971-4-211 8300    Tel: +44 (0)20 8941 5381
Email: Ashraf.shakaa@aramex.com   Email: ch@pilotmarketing.co.uk