Brighton is one of the best footballers at Simakakata.

School isn’t just about learning and lessons. Thanks to volunteer teacher Edwin Kufekisa, who teaches grade 5 during the day, Simakakata also has sports lessons, as well as a football and netball team.

Seventeen-year-old Brighton, from grade 7, is one of the stars of the soccer side.

“I play as a striker, and I’m the best in the school,” he says. “Sometimes we play against the other schools in Kalomo area, but we don’t often win.”

If ever there was a place that taking part was more important than winning or losing, though, this is it. With no public transport and several hours walk to the nearest school for pupils who’ve already trekked through the bush to get to class, away games are a rare treat which are savoured regardless of the score.

His friend, Earnest, also plays in the side. He’s been coming to Simakakata for six years, since he was 11 years old. He has two sisters and a brother who are also enrolled here.

“I prefer sport to my lessons,” he says, “But I do enjoy English. It’s very important to learn English here, there’s better work and more money for people who speak English.”

The football team practice in a large field behind the school, with goalposts made from tree branches. While the team trains, other pupils sing and dance or take part in races.

Closer to the school grounds there’s a bare patch of grass with a pole and hoop for netball classes.

Volunteer teacher Loveness teaches the girls how to play netball.

Mulemwa lives nearer to school than most, but has to help her grandmother after hours, which leaves little time to practice. She’s 11-years-old and studies in grade 5, where her favourite lesson is maths.

“I’m very good at netball, and really enjoy it,” she says, “I have five sisters, and I’m better than all of them.”

School isn’t just about classes – it’s a place for the children to mix and play and develop social skills as well as the academic basics that will help them in later life. We still need to raise £1,248 to fund the first classroom at Simakakata to help guarantee the future of the school. Please donate now or help to organise your very own WalkAsOne.