Jacqueline Wilson, KT Tunstall, and Jacqueline Wilson share their childhood photos in the WaterAid Campaign

Dame Jacqueline Wilson and KT Tunstall are among a number of celebrities sharing childhood memories and photos in support of WaterAid’s campaign to help girls around the world complete their education.

The Thirst For Knowledge campaign is working to get clean water and toilets into schools in countries such as Nepal, to ensure children’s health and education is not threatened.

Wilson and Tunstall were part of a group that included actor Sir Tony Robinson and Ellie Simmonds, a TV chef Nadiya Hassain, and an actor named Tony Robinson.

Sir Tony RobinsonSir Tony Robinson is backing WaterAid’s Thirst For Knowledge campaign (WaterAid/PA)

“I wanted to be a writer from when I was six years old,”Wilson. “I never thought I’d be lucky enough to get one book published, let alone a hundred.

“I was a daydreamer at school, my nickname was Jacky Daydream.

“The teachers thought I should be better at maths, I was hopeless, but they all said I was good at English – it was dear Mr Townsend who encouraged me to write and was always very sweet and patient.”

Tunstall stated that she is a daydreamer. However, she also mentioned that she enjoys trying out new things while at school.

“My school reports stated ‘has potential… but easily distracted’ and they were totally accurate,”She said.

“I was definitely a daydreamer, occasionally falling on the naughty side, but I was keen to try out anything from chess to fencing to metal work. I loved all the things I was able to do.

“I had some great teachers. The head of music at the High School of Dundee was Mr Cochrane; he was always really supportive of me and my talent, he made the music room feel like a playground.

“I spent a lot of time just playing on pianos, electric keyboards and on guitars.”

KT TunstallKT Tunstall (WaterAid/PA).

WaterAid hopes to provide girls in Nepal similar memories through their campaign.

The UK Government will match any donations made to the campaign, up to £2 million, by February 15.

Many girls skip school during menstruation, and drop out of school once they reach puberty due to lack of basic facilities.

The majority of Nepalese homes don’t have water so girls and women must go to the water source. This will make it easier for them to study.

Dame Jacqueline WilsonDame Jacqueline Wilson/WaterAid/PA

Puja (12 years old) goes to school in Lahan (Nepal), where there is a lack of clean water.

Puja said: “There is water, but it contains iron and it stinks. I’ve fallen ill by drinking the water at school, it generally causes stomach ache.

“When girls menstruate at school, it affects our studies as we return home.

“There should be proper management of pads, toilets and drinking water, so girls wouldn’t have to return home and miss their classes.

“We go to school to study and gain knowledge, which will help us become somebody we wish.

“Life is not possible without water, since we need water to do everything like drink, cook, clean, wash, sanitation, personal hygiene.”

Latest News

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here