PRIMARY school pupils are forging valuable educational links with countries across the globe as the Commonwealth Youth Games draw closer.
The Isle of Man will host the Games between September 7 and 13.
The Island's 35 state primary schools and the Buchan School gathered at the National Sport Centre in Douglas in July 2008 to draw nations.
Organising committee chairman Geoff Karran told children: "You will have the opportunity in the next three years to learn about that country, communicate with people in that country and find out about them."
Schools have used the Commonwealth Games website www.thecgf.com to establish contacts with their adopted nation.
In 2009 Scoill Vallajeelt won a competition to make a video telling its adopted nation, Nigeria, all about the Isle of Man.
The podcast was sent to the Nigerian Commonwealth Games Association and the school hosted a delegation of high-powered Games officials who visited the Island.
Meanwhile, in 2010 Auldyn School won a competition to make a podcast about its adopted country, Kenya, and gained sports equipment worth £400.
Special themed weeks and displays are among the events planned by schools this year.
It's hoped that athletes from some of the visiting countries will find time to visit the schools they are linked with when they arrive for the Games.
At Marown Primary School children will spend a week in March learning about the Commonwealth Youth Games and the school's adopted nation, Brunei.
Headteacher Carol Walsh said: "We will celebrate and promote the games by finding out all we can about them, for example why they started, where they have been held, the Quaich (the symbol of the Commonwealth Youth Games), the sports included in the games this year and the nations involved.
"We will be learning about the differences between Brunei and the Isle of Man in respect of culture, food, language, climate, currency, sport and education. We would love to hear from anyone on the Island who has links with Brunei, either past or present.
"Our themed week will culminate in a mini Commonwealth Games that all the children will take part in."
School improvement adviser for the Manx Curriculum Ian Longshaw said: "The adopt a nation scheme is an excellent opportunity for local children to learn about different countries and cultures as well as feel connected to such an important sporting event in their own island."
Education and Children Minister Eddie Teare MHK welcomed the link-up between schools and nations participating in the Games.
He said: "Living on an island we tend to be somewhat isolated. The Commonwealth Youth Games will give our young people an insight into other cultures and a stimulus to learning about their adopted countries.
"As we move closer to the event I hope that the benefits will become more apparent."
