AN Ethiopian woman who runs a school which is funded by a Papcastle-based charity has enjoyed visiting West Cumbria and meeting some of her many supporters.

Nigat Bekele spent three weeks staying with Helen Faulds, founder of PovertySwap.

Nigat founded, built and runs the rural Fikir Nursery and School which is funded completely by donations from people in the Cockermouth and West Cumbria area.

The school opened in 2013 with 20 children and now has 115 children from some of the poorest families in Ethiopia.

Helen has often been a guest of Nigat’s family in Hawassa, Ethiopia, and the women have become close friends as well as charity partners.

Nigat visited various churches and schools, including All Saints' Primary School in Cockermouth, Seaton Juniors and Broughton Primary.

Helen said: "Sharing her family story - married to the pastor of a 10,000 member church, having four grown-up children, seven small grandsons and one adopted six-year-old - she has delighted everyone.

"She lives in in such a different culture and has entertaining stories of African animals and cultural dancing. Nigat’s stories activated multiple questions from the children.

"At a Messy Christmas After School Club in Broughton School the children enthusiastically shared Christmas crafts and stories with her and sang heartily."

A Celebrate Christmas dinner was held in Christ Church rooms last month and raised a vital £1,500 for new classrooms at the school.

Helen said: "Nigat returned to Ethiopia full of memories of a special time in our beautiful area and the friendly, caring people she has met.

"She had a suitcase full of gifts given to her by local people and she has fresh and useful ideas for pre-school education and women’s development."

More details of Fikir School can be found on their Facebook page.