On Friday 30th June a celebration of exchange and partnership between Wales and Lesotho in Southern Africa took place at The Temple of Peace in Cardiff.
For the first time since Covid-19 schools across Wales hosted a 10 day co-funded visit for 14 teachers and 28 students from 10 schools in Lesotho. Extra places were offered to pupils through the fund raising generosity of school communities in combination with Taith.
The 20 partner schools are taking part in a global learning project called
‘ Thinking the World ’ which saw 72 teachers and pupils visit Lesotho earlier in 2023 to work with their partners on the Sustainable Development Goals. Following the visit to Wales all groups will continue to lead local actions for their chosen SDG with a final online event planned for World Children’s Day in November ’23.
Also included in this visiting group are 5 education professionals who are in Wales for 4 weeks participating in a Wales Teacher Placement – part of a British Council Wales’ International Education Program. They are currently hosted in in Carmarthenshire and are working with a number of Primary schools including Ysgol Penygaer, Ysgol Bryngwyn, Ysgol Glan y Mor, Ysgol Stebonheath and Ysgol Bigyn.
The collaborative learning that has taken place in these ten school partnerships and the Wales Teacher placement was showcased at the Temple of Peace ‘Mokete’ celebration. Jeremy Miles Minister for Education and Welsh Language attended the event together with His Excellency Nehemia Sekhonyana Bereng, High Commissioner of Lesotho for the United Kingdom.
The day consisted of speeches, song and dance, helping to cement the partnerships and friendships between the children, the schools and the two countries.
Teachers from Pembrey School said’ ‘ It fills us with great joy and pride to stand before you as teachers from Pembrey Primary and to reflect upon the journey we have shared with our friends from Moyeni Primary School in Lesotho over the past decade when our partnership began.
Little did we know that this idea would grow into something so profound and enduring, Thanks to the support of Dolan Cymru and Taith we have had the privilege of welcoming three groups of teachers from Lesotho and had the pleasure of sending welsh teachers to Moyeni fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchange and lasting friendships between staff and pupils.
Throughout our visits we couldn’t help but notice the remarkable similarities between our two schools. We are all educators striving to create an environment where our pupils can thrive and succeed. We have a shared purpose and passion for education that has forged such a special bond between us.
The exchanges have had a profound impact on our learners, expanding horizons and making them true global citizens. By taking part in programs like this, it is wonderful to see our pupils grow into compassionate, open-minded individuals with a genuine curiosity about the world around them.
