ROVING Zambian Roland Ndambo set off along the road to a new life in South Africa - via Blackburn!

The dedicated father brought his family to England in 1990 so he could learn how to be a motor mechanic.

Now, five years and almost £15,000 in tuition fees later, he is on his way back to Africa with an Higher National Certificate in motor vehicle studies.

And he left behind a glowing tribute to the local education centre, which he has labelled the "college of my dreams."

Roland, who has lived in Blackburn with his family while studying at the college, had to obtain a visa before he could come to Britain.

He has also had to pay for all his studying because he is an overseas student but he has learned skills he wouldn't have been able to pick up in his own country.

He left Zambia in March 1990 and visited around 20 colleges throughout the country, using buses, trains, taxis and cars to travel around looking for the right one.

But he fell in love with Blackburn College, and its friendly staff, as soon as he saw it and enrolled in a beginner's course straight away.

He said: "I only knew how to start a car, change a flat tyre and push a car with a flat battery.

"But within two weeks I started to identify bits and pieces of an engine. By December I could build an engine on my own."

Roland paid tribute to the college staff after receiving his HNC and promised to spread the good word in Africa.

He said: "Not everyone in this world teaches for the sake of teaching, but for money. The teaching at Blackburn is for love, happiness and understanding."

A college spokesman said: "We are delighted that Roland has enjoyed his time here and wish him well for the future.

"We do have a few overseas students at the college, mainly sponsored by governments, but it is very rare for somebody to pay their own way like this."

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