School pupils learn the world of difference

Schoolchildren in Clydebank have been learning about the lives of children in developing countries and the differences and similarities between their own.

Representatives from SCIAF visited St Joseph’s in Faifley and St Eunan’s in Drumry to explain their work with some of the world’s poorest people, in a fun and interesting way.

Senior Development Education Officer Mark Booker said:

"As well as working with our partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America and providing emergency relief around the world, we also provide development education in schools and parishes all across Scotland. We work tirelessly to help the poorest people lift themselves out of the poverty that they find themselves in.

"An important part of our work in schools is explaining why we do things the way we do – providing a hand up, not a hand-out. There are different sessions, depending on the age of the pupils, but what they have in common is they are delivered in an interesting and engaging way."

In both schools the younger children enjoyed using the Big Book and Story Sack, which introduces topics such as justice, in a way they can understand. Pupils from Primary One and Two classes had the chance to explore the cultural and religious life of children in Cambodia in interactive ways.

Mark added:

"It’s such a pleasure to spend time with pupils and to see their reaction when learning about Nulai’s life. By the end of a short session, they have an understanding of what life is like in rural Cambodia and can not only appreciate differences between their life and Nulai’s but, more importantly, recognise similarities."

Julie Friel, teacher at St Joseph’s said:

"The boys and girls learned so much about the lives of children in Cambodia. It was great fun exploring the objects in the story sack. We were able to touch, smell, listen to and wear the objects that the children in Cambodia would experience."

Senior pupils at St Eunan’s also had the chance to play a giant emergency board game, which illustrated the challenges children in developing countries face in even trying to access education, such as poverty and natural disasters.

Pupil Jamie-Lee Hay (11) said;

"Honestly, I learned things I didn’t know before. Some kids out there don’t have much, but SCIAF helps them find out their talents and this makes their life better."

Five-year-old Oscar Kelly enjoyed his session. He said:

"Smelling the pepper made my eyes nip a bit. The boy in the story had two cows and he slept on a mat on the floor."