The Swazi flag flies in Rotherhithe after a visit to Swaziland by a teacher at Bacon’s College in 2006. The school went on to raise astonishing amounts for the work of the Swaziland Charitable Trust in its Christmas Appeals. Over £10,000 was raised in 2006, £8,500 in 2007, £12,000 in 2008, £8,000 in 2009 and £7,400 in 2010 and £7,100 in 2011.

Thanks to the extraordinary endeavours of students and teachers together, thirty two students are now being sponsored, a library has been established at St Francis High School, classrooms built at St Benedict’s, a rural primary school, and money set aside to ensure that their sponsored students can continue into high school. Bacon’s College and St Francis Schools have now been twinned, Bacon’s students visited Swaziland in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In 2010, the St Francis school choir sung at Bacon’s College as part of the trust’s centenary celebrations.

‘One of the most memorable experiences was meeting the children at the community centre where we helped with the painting. Despite the language barriers we were playing football together by the end of the day, but it wasn’t until we unpacked our food for lunch that the relative luxury of our lives became clear. I know that I will never be able to live my life casually ignoring the existence of those in need in Swaziland.’ – Bacon’s Head Girl following her visit to Swaziland