TEACHER Janet Parke has returned home for the first time this Christmas since travelling to Zambia in October 1999 to teach primary schoolchildren.

Ms Parke, 48, from Malmesbury, flew out to the African country just over two years ago to take up a post as a teacher at a primary school called Mukinge Hill Academy, in Zambia's north west province.

She had been a part-time teacher at Burton Hill House School, near Malmesbury, for five years.

Between 1979-1984 Ms Parke had worked at Mukinge Hill Secondary School and when her mother, Doris, died in 1997, she decided to return.

"I am a Christian and felt it was God's will that I return to Zambia in 1999," said Ms Parke, who lives in missionary accommodation in Zambia.

"At the school we have two qualified teachers and one helper," added Ms Parke.

"We have an annual concert for parents, at the end of November.

"The children have so much enthusiasm and seeing them stand up on stage, they radiate and really get into the singing."

Ms Parke said the school teaches many of the more well-off children in the area, whose parents work at the local secondary school, hospital or for local government.

"We are different in that we teach English from the start," said Ms Parke.

"Most of the schools teach English as a second language but many of the children go to secondary school not fluent in English, where it is compulsory, while our children are."

"I feel I have found a niche where I fit. I love the job and I love the children, and the plan is that I will hopefully stay there until I retire," she added.

Ms Parke will remain in Malmesbury until January 4.

Last Thursday she returned to Burton Hill House School, to take in the pupils' annual nativity play.