While most teenagers were using their summer holidays to enjoy a well-earned break, a group of pupils fromThe Heathland School in Hounslow were hard at work building a library and classrooms in Africa and India.

The 35 sixth form students,aged 16-18, travelled to Tanzania, Ethiopa and India to take part inthe Fulcrum Challenge, funded by The Jack Petchey Foundation, whichencourages youngsters to raise s1550 each then travel to countries inAfrica and Asia to complete village community projects.

Nearlyhalf the students went to Tanzania for two weeks to build thefoundations of the first-ever school library in Magara Village. Theyalso had the opportunity to observe and teach lessons and play afootball match with some of the locals.

"I felt so overwhelmedknowing that I have helped as well as improved the lives of manychildren," said participant Jagjot Sandhu.

Lloyd Gashu(pictured), who also went to Tanzania, added: "Observing and teachingsome of the lessons outlined the huge difference between ourexperiences - we have more resources than they do but we don't utilisethem."

The challenge for the 16 students who visited Ethiopiawas to build a classroom for orphans. This has allowed over 50 childrento experience education and provide them with an opportunity to escapethe poverty they currently experience.