Wisdom from 5th Graders
Nine months ago 5th grade students at Hinesburg Community School in Vermont, USA, started a virtual connection with students at Nayenga Primary School in Kamuli, Uganda, and this week we had our last video meet for the U.S. school year.
Throughout the school year, we did regular video meetings, and the students also wrote letters back and forth.
The kids asked each other questions about their daily lives, the climate, the language, sports, and food.
They did skits, sang songs, played instruments, danced, and laughed together!!
In January, the HCS 5th grade students held a Penny War and raised $1200 for the foundation! These funds went to school supplies for the Nayenga students, helped to build a school garden, and paid school fees for a few of the children.
As the year progressed, this went way beyond a virtual connection.
The students in the U.S. learned they could be change-makers.
The students in Uganda learned about another culture far from where they live.
Participating in this exchange is a big deal for the students at Nayenga Primary. It's really the only time they see the technology of the iPad and visit people across the world.
This week we had a big finish!
Our students in Uganda were well prepared with skits, traditional dancing, drumming, and singing.
Our advisor Prossy, who is visiting the U.S. for a few months, joined the students in Hinesburg, and it was great when the kids in Uganda saw her on the other side of the camera!
As we wrapped up our final session, I asked the HCS students,
“How are you thinking differently from your experience with Uganda this year?”
From several students, we heard the same thing:
“I didn't realize how little they had and it makes me grateful that I have so much.”
“Even though the kids don't have a lot in Uganda, they always seem so happy.”
Wow! That's a powerful lesson for 5th graders! And- they are already asking if they can continue this connection next school year!
Our Connecting Cultures program is helping to build leaders in the U.S. and Uganda!
With Gratitude,
Mary
P.S. If you’re inspired by what you’ve read, pass it along to a friend!
