Article 8

You have the right to an identity. This means we have a right to wear our own clothes and speak our own language. Through the story Handa’s Surprise written by Eileen Browne, we have been comparing life in Africa to our own lives. We have learnt so much!

Jo came to share her experiences of working in African schools. She explained that the area she worked in had 11 different languages but the main language was called Xhosa, pronounced Koah-suh.

Jo shared some extracts from her diary that she kept while out there.

She showed us her beautiful outfit that her African friends made for her.

We learnt how to do an African handshake.

We discovered there was no toilet and no running water in her African village. The only toilet was a long way away and was called a long drop.

Children in one school she visited had to learn in a cow shed! They had to clear away the cow poop before they started the day.

The people were very poor but extremely kind and generous. The family that Jo was staying with made her jewellery and a felt belt. The African ladies make jewellery from beads.

We asked some questions and Elsie wanted to know if the African children celebrate birthdays. Jo said that they celebrate Christmas and birthdays but they don’t celebrate bonfire night or halloween.

Thanks Jo for sharing your experience with us. It was so interesting!

Year six spent the morning discussing transitions and their next journey after primary school. Our amazing Church experience team guided them through the Your Move transition book, listening and responding to their worries, concerns and exciting opportunities.