For the last two years Mike Bradley has been passing on his knowledge and skills to youngsters in Africa.

The 24-year-old from Ferncliffe Drive, Utley, has been teaching Business Studies and IT to children at a school in Botswana.

And he has enjoyed the experience at Swaneng School so much that he is extending his stay for another year.

As acting head of Business Studies, the former South Craven School pupil has developed the department and is currently trying to establish a work experience programme.

Mike said: "The work experience programme will probably be my last major development for the school now that our department is established and we have a Business Studies room decorated with posters and information.

"The school is large and was one of the first Senior Schools in Botswana that was established by Patrick van Rensburg, who saw Swaneng as a vocational school.

"The students learnt skills like mechanics and woodwork, and they built the classrooms and staff houses themselves, which still stand firm today.

"These days Swaneng accommodates 1,600 students who vary in age from 16 to 22. It is the last stage before university education, although the students complete courses that equate somewhere between A-level and GCSE.

"It's important to realise that, although there are combies (mini buses) in the village to transport people, most of our students are quite poor and therefore walk to school.

"This can mean that they wake up anytime from 5am."

After completing his teacher training at Nottingham Trent University, Mike organised his placement in Africa with the British Council and flew out in January 1999.

He added: "Botswana itself is a very friendly country and is far removed from the violence that you will hear of in Zimbabwe.

"The countryside is flat and at most times quite bare, but we are very fortunate that in the north of the country we have the Okavango Delta, which is a large nature reserve holding thousands upon thousands of animals and some of the most beautiful scenery and sunsets you could ever see.

"The people are so friendly and will treat you as you treat them. The village in which I am based is Serowe and is a very cultural, traditional village which was the capital for the largest tribe in Botswana, the Bamangwato.

"The first president of Botswana came from Serowe and his wife still visits the village."

Mike's parents Jan and Peter have also travelled over to Botswana to get a taste of life in Africa.

Jan, 47, said: "Mike is very, very happy over there and is doing really well at the school.

"The people are so friendly and everyone is so pleased to meet you - it's an unbelievable experience.

"I've been out there twice on my own and Peter has been out once so we are hoping to go together this summer before Mike comes home."

In spite of the distance between Botswana and Keighley, Mike has been able to keep up to date with important local news thanks to the wonders of modern technology.

He said: "I suppose in a way it is quite amazing that we actually have e-mail, but its so important for keeping up to date with Keighley Cougars and Bradford City... and of course research for work.

"But it is funny that I often know more about Keighley Cougars and Bradford City than my dad, even when I'm living 9,980km further away." The school has just set up its own website which can be reached at www.swaneng.co.bw

Pictured above are some of Mike's pupils catching up on news from his home town.