Just like many schools around the country, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the time when overseas school trips are permitted again.
In the meantime, we wanted to ensure that young people in the UK and Africa could continue to learn from each other about global citizenship, international development and cultural exchange.
Our Partner With a School in Africa initiative gives UK schools the opportunity to bring a touch of Africa into their classrooms by forming a meaningful, mutually beneficial partnership with one of the schools we support in Ghana, Kenya or Zanzibar.
The scheme, which is completely free to take part in, gives students the chance to deepen their understanding of the wider world as they learn about the lives of young people in Africa.
How does it work?
The initiative is open to all UK schools, regardless of whether you’ve previously travelled with us or not. To get started, head to our webpage!
Once your partnership is confirmed, you’ll receive a signed, framed certificate, and your students will begin exchanging half-termly pen pal letters with their counterparts in Africa. You’ll have access to an exclusive webpage containing a welcome letter from your partner school, free educational resources, the latest news, a photo gallery and information about your partner school’s goals for the future.
You’ll also have the opportunity to fundraise for your partner school, and even travel there to volunteer in the future, should you wish to do so.
The scheme so far…
We’ve been delighted in the interest in our School Partnerships scheme so far, with schools across the UK partnering with schools across Africa. Here’s a snapshot of what’s been happening!
Swanmore College (UK) and Aklorbordzi School (Ghana)
Swanmore College have got their partnership with Aklorbordzi School off to a flying start. The Hampshire-based school decided to fundraise for their Ghanaian counterparts, and managed to raise an incredible £1,391.25 through a range of events including a raffle, tombola, non-school uniform day, walking marathon, baking competition and a quiz!
We are so grateful for their support, and we can’t wait to see how their partnership with Aklorbordzi School develops.
Kingsbury High School (UK) and Chaddy Mission School (Kenya)
Kingsbury High School decided to partner with Chaddy Mission School as part of their status as a Rights Respecting School. The Rights Respecting School Award, championed by UNICEF, helps young people learn about children’s rights and encourages discussion of important issues such as climate change, access to education and refugee rights. Kingsbury therefore saw a school partnership as the perfect way to deepen their students’ understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by learning from their counterparts in Kenya.
Kingsbury recently received their first pen pal letters from students at Chaddy Mission, and we look forward to facilitating further learning and exchange between the two schools soon!
Students at Kinsbury High School have received their first letters from students at Chaddy Mission School.
Moseley Park School (UK) and The Walk Centre (Kenya)
Moseley Park School has partnered with The Walk Centre, and the students in Kenya have recently received their first pen pal letters from their UK counterparts!
Students at The Walk Centre read letters from Moseley Park School.
Mosely Park has also decided to fundraise to help The Walk Centre reach its future development goals sooner. The school will be holding a ‘Cycle to Kenya’ event, with students teaming up to cycle the distance between the UK and Kenya in return for donations. Thank you so much for your support!
