Isle of Man schoolchildren have started a friendship with their counterparts in a remote Ugandan village. Pupils at Ballasalla school ‘met’ children from Mifumi primary school through a Skype link, facilitated by local Standard Bank employee, Joe Smith.
 
Joe was visiting the remote school in Uganda as part of the bank’s sponsorship programme. He took with him 87 boxes of clothing, shoes and books donated by the Manx public and staff. One of the projects facilitated by Standard Bank, was the Skype link. The bank donated and set up a Wifi facility to help the remote African children to interact with the rest of the world. ‘It was an amazing experience,’ says Joe, ‘The children back home each took it in turns to ask questions of a group of kids in Mifumi. They asked all sorts of things, from how do you get to school, to do you have any pets? The teachers and even the Head teacher in Africa were there and after the Ballasalla children had asked their questions Deputy-Head teacher, Mrs Banks-Jones gave them a virtual tour of her school so they could see what life is like in an Isle of Man school.’
 
The staff and children were so impressed with the Skype link-up that they set up a pen pal system to carry on the conversation. Ballasalla’s Mrs Elizabeth Bankes-Jones said the event which included year 5 and 6 pupils was a big success, ‘The value of engaging with real children in real places extends learning and provides challenges which broaden our students' knowledge and view of the world. It is so important for children everywhere to be global citizens and to be a part of the world's community. In order to achieve this they need to understand the similarities and differences between cultures and life circumstances around the globe. The Mifumi link is an excellent way of engaging with this and has led to students at Ballasalla having pen friends in Uganda – writing for a purpose, spreading friendship across the world.’
 
This is the second year that Standard Bank has sponsored Mifumi Primary School. Staff have been fundraising for the children all year and Joe was given the opportunity to go out and visit to see how funds can be best spent to help the school. ‘When I’ve seen charities on TV you know in the back of your mind that it’s going on, but to be on the other end has completely changed my thoughts. Whilst we were there we visited some of the children’s families to see their daily lives. One girl had lost both her parents and she was helping her grandmother who is ill. She has to deal with all of this whilst trying to go to school.
 
‘Although I knew it was an issue, I was also surprised to see just how many children don’t have shoes. The pairs that Standard Bank donated last year are already starting to fall apart and if you saw the track which they walk to school on then you’d be surprised the shoes last a week.’
 
Around 13 years ago Mifumi school was nothing more than a thatched hut with the children being taught under trees. Now more than 700 children are taught in purpose built classrooms with dedicated staff.
 
During the year Standard Bank staff have been raising money to purchase educational equipment through cake sales, raffles, a sponsored porridge fast, and the Football Fun Day in July. Joe is now preparing a schedule of fund raisers for 2015 and hopes that as many people as possible will get involved. If you want to donate goods, money or your time, you can contact Joe: Jody.Smith@standardbank.com
 
Photo - The Skype call being made and Joe with some of the children.