International Links at Burton Borough School

Over the last three years at pupils at Burton borough have worked with the local charity “Two Hands” to raise the funds to build a medical Centre in Quito, Ecuador.  Our pupils successfully raised approximately £12000 to build the centre and at the same time learned about Central American culture and conditions in the third world. One important feature missing from this work was direct contact between our pupils and the young people of Quito.

In February Burton Borough began a linking process which will provide a link with the JJS School in Sierra Leone which I hope will offer our pupils the opportunity to learn about another culture, this time African and at the same time develop their abilities by communicating with the young people of Sierra Leone.

Using our link with Sierra Leone will share learning opportunities in a partnership of equals rather than fund raise to help them develop aspects of their school. Both sets of pupils will have the opportunity to learn about factors which effect us all sharing their ideas concerns and interests with a very different groups of young people.

Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over the last 30 years it has seen a major civil war which ended about ten years ago leaving the country with a legacy of need. The JJS school is in the Capital Freetown, resources by European standards are poor with class sizes in the region of 50! But the young people are eager to get to school and value the chance for an education. I believe we can look forward to our pupils and theirs sharing many valuable learning experiences over the next few years.

Sierra Leone Country Profile Sierra Leone Short Story