Barnard Castle’s Satellite e-club have recently kickstarted their Rotary Digital Bridges (RDB) initiative – an education and sustainable development project linking two of our Interact Clubs with two schools in Kitale, Kenya.
Barnard Castle School got the chance to connect online with St Patrick’s Kipsaina High School and Teesdale School and Sixth Form connected with St Christopher’s Girls Secondary School.
The aim of the initiative is that, as the schools and pupils build their mutual understanding and trust, they will be encouraged to investigate shared environmental concerns and potential solutions.
“Sharing ideas and discussing issues that were similarly important to both sets of students even though they are separated by such a large geographical distance really captured the essence of connecting classrooms.
The first part of this collaboration is being initiated by Jean and Keith Best of the Peace Advocate Project who are delivering joint conflict resolution training.
Speaking of the project, Dr Simon Henderson of Teesdale School said: “This term has seen the return of the Rotary Interact group who are working on a project with a school in Kenya … and promises to lead to an exciting sustainability project in the future.
“Our students really enjoyed the Peace Advocacy Project and following the materials and engaging in the activities alongside the students from Kenya was particularly rewarding.
“Sharing ideas and discussing issues that were similarly important to both sets of students even though they are separated by such a large geographical distance really captured the essence of connecting classrooms.”
Despite technical difficulties, the school’s were able to connect via Zoom for their conflict resolution training.
Project lead Sam Forsyth – a member of the e-group and a teacher of biology at Barnard Castle School – added of the project: “Whilst we must be realistic about what can be achieved in this one academic year pilot, as the pupils build their relationships, we hope they will be inspired to explore common environmental problems – from plastics reduction (where Kenya is leading the way) to tree planting and water management.
“As well as providing community service, this project will also offer exceptional fellowship opportunities with the potential to grow Rotary membership – particularly through Interact, Rotaract and International e-Clubs.”
The impact of the project is perhaps best described by June Akinyi, a pupil at St Patrick’s Kipsaina High School. In a note, she wrote: “On behalf of St Patrick’s Kipsaina Rotary Digital Bridges Club and Peace Advocate Team, I take this opportunity to deliver a special vote of thanks for the whole entire training programme on Peace Advocacy which has helped us by enhancing our peace advocacy skill.
“I thank the trainers, sponsors and the … entire team that engaged us. We are looking forward to work, engage and train under the umbrella of peace advocacy now and henceforth. Thanking you …”
