Swampscott Travelers Strengthen South African Bond

Submitted by the Siyabulela program.

What started as a pen pal letter exchange program in Judy McKenzie’s seventh grade world geography class at , culminated this summer with a very exciting trip to South Africa for seven middle school teachers.

McKenzie began the program in 2009 in the hopes that it would enhance her student’s global awareness.  Students in Swampscott wrote and received letters approximately four times during the year.

Opportunity Education, a nonprofit that assists schools in developing countries,  paired up Swampscott Middle School with Siyabulela Primary School in Langa — a township on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Opportunity Education provided the postage for Siyabulela to respond.  In the letters, the students shared information about their country, culture, history, geography, and so much more.

In April of 2009, McKenzie was contacted by the U.S. Consulate in Cape Town, South Africa, and asked if she would like her students to video conference with their counterparts in Langa. Since then, the classes have had four very exciting and successful video conferences each spring. Salem State University generously donated their facility to conduct the conferences.

As the sister school relationship developed between the two schools, teachers at Swampscott Middle School decided that they wanted to meet the teachers and students with whom they had been communicating.

On July 29, the following teachers departed for the trip to Cape Town: Judy McKenzie, Abby Rogers, Ann Bush, Catie Porter, Elly Mullins, Megan Bonomolo, and Katie Wynne. Meg Wynne, a student at Swampscott High School, also accompanied the group.

The teachers spent their own time and money to make this trip a reality. They spent several days at Siyabulela Primary School. They volunteered, observed, and taught.

Judy McKenzie and Abby Rogers taught a lesson about the United States. The Siyabulela students had many misconceptions about our country just as the Swampscott students had had about theirs.

The teachers saw the difficult conditions at the school and the amazing spirit of the students and the effort of the teachers to provide a good education. It was a wonderful exchange of ideas and culture.

At the conclusion of their visit, it was obvious that the bond between the two schools was strengthened and the program will continue enthusiastically.

All are looking forward to next year’s video conference — an opportunity to visit again with new friends!