Gemma Gibney, Chloe Cunningham, Beth Bowers, Courtney Stanway, Leigh Bowie and Morgan Henry came home from their two-week charity trip last Tuesday.

Clydebank High has supported needy communities in Malawi for years and the teenagers continued that tradition by bringing supplies to a disabled children’s project and a rural secondary school.

The Post caught up with the group of 15 and 16-year-olds back at school on Friday.

Beth said: “We sat in classes with no light and some people didn’t even have a seat. The number of books we have in one classroom is the amount they have in the whole school.” Gemma wants to be a vet when she leaves school and the trip has given her added inspiration to succeed.

She said: “You feel so determined to push for what you want now. You see girls who don’t have aspirations and once they hear what you want to do it inspires them to think about their futures.” Chloe added: “Once we got home we were thinking ‘right we’re going to go back to school and we’re going do our best’.” The girls had to raise £2,000 each to cover their costs and donations. They held several fundraising events including a race night in Hardgate, abseiling the Clydebank Titan crane, a school film night and a sponsored walk.

On their travels the teens helped groups including Girls Go for Health which empowers women, encourages girls to stay at school and holds health classes where they can learn about sanitary health and hygiene, along with the Disabled Children’s Project which helps children with special needs get the right care and equipment they need.

Morgan said: “The kids with swollen bellies had literally nothing but their smiles never faded. The parents were always smiling and clapping. They were so grateful for the donations we brought.” Leigh added: “It sent shivers down your spine, it was an amazing experience.”