On Link In General…

“It gives me great pleasure to support the work that Link is undertaking in Africa. Their initiatives are giving hope to many of our rural communities.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Patron Link Community Development.

"Link tackles local education challenges in partnership with stakeholders. The result is a better quality of education… now and long into the future."
Derek Nkata, former District Director of Education, Masindi.

“Link’s help in developing the School Development Plan has motivated the school to act.”
Head teacher, Uganda.

“Link Community Development is a great charity and one that I, and Arsenal Football Club, are really happy to be involved with.”
Kolo Toure, Ivory Coast and former Arsenal Defender. Now at Manchester City FC.


On our Link Schools Programme…
“The Link Schools Programme brings Africa into the classroom in a very real and engaging way which captures and sustains the attention of the children and makes development education lessons more meaningful.”
Arlene Bhreathnach, Link Schools Programme Coordinator.

“[The Link Schools Programme] is not a conventional aid package where the funds of anonymous donors help the lives of anonymous recipients. The Link Schools Programme is about person to person links. From Link’s work we have the chance to influence the adult thinking of today’s participant children from Ireland and Africa so that they remain throughout their lives, partners and friends.” 
President of Ireland, Mary McAleese at the launch of the Link Schools Programme ‘Partners in Development’, Dublin, Ireland.

“These links benefit all the children, not just in terms of their education, but of their personal and social development too.”
Fiona Leishman, Link Schools Coordinator, quoted in the Times Educational Supplement, Scotland.

“The link is improving literacy through letter writing and increasing the children’s awareness of being global citizens in an interdependent world. The link is a source of fun and excitement in both schools!”
Mura Tierney, Link Schools Programme Coordinator, Scoil Chaitríona Junior, Co. Galway.


On our work in Africa…
“The training of district officers, management and teachers, as well as regular monitoring and inspections by the district office… have resulted in significant improvements in the schools."
Primary Education in Uganda, IOB Impact Evaluation, no 311, April 2008.

"Link’s work supporting the development of Malawi’s education service is invaluable, not just for individual students but for the country as a whole."
Rt Hon Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale (First Minister of Scotland 2001 – 2007).

“From my perspective Link has helped me immensely. Aside from anything else I believe that it was your intervention that enabled us to conclude the strategic plan which ultimately led to a broad consensus within the ministry and to Cabinet endorsing it unanimously, albeit after a very vigorous three-hour debate!”
Hon. Senator David Coltart, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, following two Education conferences hosted by Link on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

"Any fool can make something more complex but it takes real genius to make it simple and workable at local level; you have done this and deserve to be incredibly proud…"
Wendwossen Kebede, Senior Programme Manager for Education, VSO Ethiopia

“Link Community Development and the District Education Office have joined hands in the improvement of education standards in Mulanje. ... Learners in standard eight were able to write their mock exams this year because of the support from Link Community Development. I do hope this should continue.”
Dinala Kalepa, Coordinating PEA, District Education Office, Mulanje, Malawi.

“[Link's] School Performance Review process and the subsequent development of a School Improvement Plan can be adopted by all the districts in order to have a logic approach in addressing issues which militate against the provision of quality education.”
Malawi Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Inspectorate Team Report.


On our fundraising initiatives…
“I wish everyone taking part in the Malawi Bike Ride the very best of British.”
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, backing Link Community Development’s Malawi Bike Ride fundraising initiative.


On our Global Teachers Programme...
“Being a global teacher was such a worthwhile experience. Not only had I the opportunity to share my ideas and experience with the staff of Ntuntu but I also learned so much from them."
Fiona Maguire, Global Teacher.

"As a result of my personal experience, I feel that there are at least a hundred more people here in Ireland who are better educated and informed about what it is really like to live, work and go to school in Uganda."
Darina Connolly, Global Teacher.

"Learning and Teaching Scotland is delighted to be working in partnership with Link Community Development to offer this International professional development experience." 
Kay Livingston, Head of International Education, Learning and Teaching Scotland.