PUPILS at Shebbear Community School enjoyed a visit from ex-pupil Rosalie Balfour, along with her husband Mark, who returned to the school to talk to the children about living and working in Guatemala.

Rosalie’s father, Nigel Mead, was the vicar of Shebbear for 25 years before his retirement, so she spent her early years growing up in the village.

Rosalie and Mark spoke about their two years working with the street children of Guatemala City through the charity ‘Street Kids Direct’. They explained that many of the children they work with are homeless and have to spend their days collecting litter, which can be sold for recycling. They said that often the children have to wade through rotting food to locate the items they can sell.

As a result of their work, the children are having the opportunity to continue their education and have a safe place to spend their days. 

Shebbear headteacher Nick Alford, said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Rosalie and Mark. It is so important that the children have the chance to learn about different cultures and parts of the world. It certainly made many of them appreciate how lucky they are to be able to come to school safely each day.”

The couple are spending six months back in the UK before heading back to Guatemala later in the year.