WEST Somerset supporters of an East African school are celebrating five years of giving help with the launch of an ambitious building project.

The Friends of the K/Dimbani School in Zanzibar was set up by Porlock couple Stephen and Christine Fitzgerald in 2007.

Their chance contact with the school came two years earlier while they were on a cruise in the area and discovered it needed support.

Since setting up the group, fundraising and donations have helped build and furnish a pair of three bedroom bungalows for teacher accommodation, funded major repair work on the school's administrative block roof and the installation of internet.

One of the group's partners, the Minehead and District Lions Club, has created a well and set up and developed a dedicated website - http://www.k-dimbanischool.co.uk">www.k-dimbanischool.co.uk - whilst the Lions Club in Dar-es Salaam has funded a health camp at the school, providing dental treatment, eye inspections and other services.

And since July, more work has been carried out at two satellite schools in nearby Kufile and Kizimkazi, creating additional buildings and digging two toilets.

Now the Friends, in agreement with the school committee, have drawn up a business plan to build a tourist craft shop/centre.

The group, which has been donating an average $4,000 dollars a year, will provide the initial funding for the project, which is expected to take between four and five years to complete.

An enterprise loan scheme, run by the school committee, will fund the start-up costs of the centre, with money repaid lent out again to local entrepreneurs.

And a co-operative will rent the centre from the school, with its members receiving business and craft skill training, as well as, hopefully, official support from the Zanzibar Government.

Mr Fitzgerald said the centre would include a craft sales area, local goods section, workshop, rest room with fresh water facilities, fridge and microwave.

And he said there would also be a bank of eco-toilets attached to the premises, with power supplied by solar panels.

Since it was set up, the Friends has attracted significant support from West Somerset communities.

Porlock Women's Fellowship sent 47 teddies for the schoolchildren, while the Porlock Men's Fellowship has also helped.

Fundraising efforts have included an annual coffee morning by Porlock Visitor Centre and an annual concert by Minehead Male Voice Choir.

Further support has come from Porlock Parochial Church Council, along with a number of local businesses.

The mainstay of the Friends are patrons who donate a regular monthly or annual sum.

But there are also around 20 collecting tins in outlets across West Somerset.

"Employment prospects in Zanzibar are difficult and consist mainly of subsistence farming and fishing," said Mr Fitzgerald.

"Tourism is one area which offers growth prospects.

"Zanzibar, an island which is approximately 60 miles long and 30 miles wide, had around 220,000 visitors in 2011.

"The Friends wish to help the school and improve the local employment prospects for school leavers by establishing a sustainable tourism and enterprise project."

More information on the project and how to support it is available from Mr Fitzgerald on 01643 862289 or [email protected]">[email protected].