We are concerned, confident and compassionate citizens of the world!
When I spoke to David Elliott seven years ago about the possibility of helping him start a new school, we dreamed of creating a school that could teach global citizenship in an intentional way. The partnership that we have developed with Dwankhozi Basic School since then has really had a significant impact on me, not only as a teacher but as a human being. The teacher to teacher connections QAE staff members have made with the Dwankhozi teachers have been powerful, and we continue to work together to find meaningful ways for our students to interact with and learn from each other. In spite of the barriers we have encountered in nurturing this relationship, I am hopeful about what this partnership can contribute to our students' developing global citizenship skills.
The partnership began when a few of us went to an event in April of 2012 and had a chance to watch this video about a day in the life of an 11 year old boy who attends Dwankhozi Basic School.
The partnership began when a few of us went to an event in April of 2012 and had a chance to watch this video about a day in the life of an 11 year old boy who attends Dwankhozi Basic School.
Dwankhozi Basic School is supported by a Seattle-based foundation called Dwankhozi Hope. This foundation was created by a group of friends that includes Beth and Matt MacLean, current QAE parents. The foundation started when a man named Charles Masala, who grew up in rural Zambia as one of 10 children of a rural school teacher, asked some of his friends for help. He wanted to build a school for his brother and sister-in-law, who were teaching in Zambia without a building. Children have to work incredibly hard in rural Zambia to achieve an education. All 10 Masala "children" succeeded in doing so, all earning a college degree! Today, most of the ten Masalas are involved in the work of Dwankhozi Hope and are actively supporting the Dwankhozi Primary School community. Two of the Masalas, Idah and Maurice, currently teach at the school and were able to visit Queen Anne Elementary last April..
In July of 2013, Rene Ward, David Elliott, Megan Klope and I were able to be a part of our first QAE visit to our partner school! In July of 2014, Rachel Marks, Joe Bailey and Ciara Leckie had a chance to travel to Zambia and visit the school. Since our last visit, a secondary school has been built and currently has 80 students enrolled in 9th grade!
In July of 2013, Rene Ward, David Elliott, Megan Klope and I were able to be a part of our first QAE visit to our partner school! In July of 2014, Rachel Marks, Joe Bailey and Ciara Leckie had a chance to travel to Zambia and visit the school. Since our last visit, a secondary school has been built and currently has 80 students enrolled in 9th grade!
One way you can teach your child to help our friends at Dwankhozi Basic School, or any other group they feel inspired to help, is to use a Moonjar. A Moonjar is a concrete way for young children to understand how they might divide up their income. The jar has three slots ~ spend, share, and save. Many students at QAE have adopted this method of keeping track of their money and have been excited to learn about the many ways that they can "share" with others. Moonjars can be purchased online or you can simply make your own! |