Swampscott Contingent to Visit South African Sister School Sunday

The ties between the and its sister school in South Africa will grow even closer in the coming weeks.

Eight travelers including former seventh grade teacher Judy McKenzie will spend five days volunteering, observing and teaching at a public school, Siyabulela, in the township of Langa, South Africa.

The second week they will tour historical sites in the country — especially ones related to its fight against apartheid — and are planning a three-day photography safari.

The Swampscott travelers, including teachers, are paying for the trip. It is not sponsored by the town or school.

Judy McKenzie started a pen pal program five years ago between the 7th graders from Swampscott Middle School and Siyabulela.

The exchange grew to include an conferencing between the two schools’ students.

Judy said she was determined to meet, in person, the students and teachers she has gotten to know over the years.

What surprised her was the extent to which others had the same inclination.

“I was surprised that so many were interested in going with me and willing to give their own time and money to accomplish this,” she said.

Since Judy has retired, middle school teacher Abby Rogers has continued the annual teleconferencing, held in May at Salem State University in its media center.

The students write each other over the school year, leading up to the video event.

During the video event students typically ask each other questions, share poems and songs.

The event is arranged and supported by the United States Consulate in South Africa.

Meanwhile, experiences from the upcoming trip will surely enhance the middle school teachers’ lessons when they return to the Middle School, Judy said.

In addition, she and Abby Rogers have prepared a lesson about the United States to share with the students at Siyabulela.

The Swampscott contingent begins its adventure on Sunday and returns on Aug. 13.

The following people will join Judy and Abby on the South African trip: Ann Bush, Catie Porter, Elly Mullins, Katie Wynne and her daughter, Meg, who is a student at SHS, and Megan Bonomolo, the Middle school's former vice-principal.