A TEACHER has swopped the comforts of a Hampshire school for overcrowded classrooms with dirt floors and no electricity.

Miriam Bateman, of Marchwood Junior School, flew thousands of miles to Rwanda at the weekend to help African teachers develop new skills and ideas.

Her baggage was laden with hundreds of finger puppets that pupils had made for Miriam to hand out as gifts.

Children at Marchwood raised £2,000 by holding a sponsored swim to raise enough money for their teacher to make the two-week trip.

"I do feel privileged," said Miriam. "It's an adventure and I love challenges."

Miriam made the same journey in the summer of 2003 after some Rwandan

visitors to the school asked if someone could help to train their teaching staff.

She added: "I don't feel as nervous as I did before because I know where I'm going. I am very excited.

"The differences are colossal; you cannot put it into words. The walls are completely bare, there are dirt floors, windows without glass and no lights or electricity.

"The children often don't wear shoes, playtimes are on areas of dirt and if they ever have assemblies they are held outside."

Marchwood Junior has been trying to build up a link with the school in the village of Shyogwe ever since Miriam's last visit.

Pupils have also made a banner with their handprints on to symbolise the union.

The school is hoping to teach a geography module called "Life in Africa".

Keen to help, local supply teacher Helen Green has volunteered to cover all of Miriam's classes for free while she is away.