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Why do we visit schools To give the Bethany children the opportunity to thank the children attending the UK schools who have been supporting the project (some for several years). To raise the awareness of the living conditions of the vast majority of children who live on the African continent with special first hand accounts from the children.
Benefits to the UK schools visited: The children attending the schools will benefit from hearing first hand about life living in a ‘mud hut’ with no water or electricity and how and why they were admitted to the Bethany Family and how their life has changed. They will see and hear about every aspect of Tanzanian life . The differences in discipline in schools between the two cultures (corporal punishment in Tanz etc). Difference in dress code - girls wear kangas, dresses and skirts worn well below the knee and that relationships are not allowed between opposite sex throughout the young persons education. They will learn about the power and influence of the witch doctors. They will learn about the importance of song and dance through seeing and hearing the children who visit. The UK children will have the opportunity to ask questions and to hear the children speak in two other African languages besides English.
Benefits to the Bethany Family: In the long term greater appreciation of the plight of the third world may at sometime in the future lead to a greater understanding, involvement and help from the West. In the short term, school children from the UK having met the children will sometimes want to help the Bethany children with a non uniform day or other fund raising initiative. As donations are our only source of income they are most welcome as they enable the work to continue. The Bethany children will of course benefit immensely from practicing their English to appreciating what can be achieved by a culture that in general terms ‘gets things done’.
VISIT schedule: We would prefer to visit schools in the immediate area (within 10/15 miles of Accrington). We want to go from school to neighbouring school in the same area so that best use is made of the time available. From past experience we find that 30-45mins spent with a year group (100-200 children) is the most efficient use of the time available. We realise that this is sometimes not possible due to the inflexibility of timetable structures and our visit will fit into whatever is available if feasible. On our last visit (March-May 2004) we were often asked to return to the school for a second visit (so that other children from the school could meet the children). Our timetable on this visit will probably not be able to accommodate return visits.
N.B. If staying all day at a school we would prefer to provide our own packed lunch (this will be in keeping with the children’s diet) as western foods (in school canteens) often create dietary problems for our children.
School Syllabus: We are informed that the experience our visit offers would enhance syllabus subject with regard to citizenship, world poverty and an understanding of how charities operate.
Assemblies Format: Depending on time but assuming 10-15mins we would hope to have time for the following:
Short introduction: Where we are from, who we are,
Two songs (with dance), one song sung in English and the other in Swahili or Sukuma.
A short talk from the leader about the differences between schools in Tanzania and the school we are visiting.
A few words from one of the children (translated if required) about life in Africa.
The different expectations from African society for boys and girls
(All our girls can carry water in a bucket on their heads and this can be demonstrated if required - very popular with the children and we’ve never spilt any!)
Lesson format: Depending on time but assuming 30-45mins we would hope to cover the following topics:
An appreciation of the size, climate and economies of the African continent especially Tanzania.
How wealthy are these countries compared to the UK - mortality rate, welfare available.
The roll of boys and girls, men and women. Hopes and expectations.
How the schools compare with the UK. How discipline is maintained. Boy/girl Relationships. Marriage
Promiscuity/ HIV - other life threatening diseases. Famine. Jobs available and expectations.
Why and what the Bethany Project does to help. The size of the problem - the resources available.
The children’s stories and backgrounds before they came to Bethany and what Bethany now offers them.
Life at Bethany - daily routine - what each child possesses - hobbies - pastimes etc. Bethany children staff and management’s aims and objectives. The Bethany motto and the effect it has on the Bethany children.
Dress, Appearance and Behaviour: Each group (A, B or C) is made of ten children of varying ages (7 girls and 3 boys) + Tanzania leader - interpreter and CRB checked UK volunteer (who will be in charge of the group). The girls will be dressed in traditional African dress (kangas) and the boys in long trousers and white shirts. The girls will not wear jewelry or make up (whilst visiting schools). We expect them to behave well ( a condition of being accepted at Bethany is that they agree to behave well and work hard - the Bethany motto).
Preferences, Gifts, Photographs and video: Our children have come to England to work - not for a holiday. As well as visiting many establishments they will have formal lessons and one week solid (half term week) improving their English.
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