If you're ever feeling discouraged about the future, I have a suggestion: spend some time with fifth graders!
This past week, I had the pleasure of bringing our Connecting Cultures program to Hinesburg Community School and Charlotte Central School in Vermont. It was a bit of a reunion tour for me, as I taught at both schools for many years.
I loved reconnecting with old friends and seeing some longtime CLP supporters. And best of all, I got to spend time with 100 curious, enthusiastic fifth graders!
We talked about what life is like for children growing up in rural Uganda. And there were plenty of surprises.
Imagine getting up in the morning and, before heading to school, walking a mile to fetch water. You pump it from a borehole into a jerry can, then carry that heavy container all the way home. And you may have to do it again after school.
That's a pretty different morning routine from what most Vermont fifth graders experience!
I shared an African proverb with the students:
"Once you carry your own water, you remember every drop."
Then I asked them what they thought it meant.
We also talked about other differences. Many children in the rural Ugandan communities where we work have just one or two outfits, few or no toys, and often only one meal a day.
But here's something I always emphasize: I don't want students leaving these presentations thinking, "Those poor children."
The children I know in Uganda are resourceful, hardworking, and full of hopes and dreams. They value their education and understand that school can open doors to a better future. And despite the challenges they face, I rarely hear them complain.
There are real differences in how children live in Vermont and rural Uganda.
But there is so much that connects them, too.
They laugh, play, learn, make friends, and dream about their futures. And wherever they live, parents want their children to have opportunities and a better life.
In a couple of weeks, these Vermont fifth graders will get to meet fifth graders in Uganda through a live video exchange. They'll be able to ask each other questions, share a little about their lives, and discover for themselves just how much they have in common.
And that's where the real magic of Connecting Cultures happens.
For our Ugandan students, it's an opportunity to connect with children across the world in a way they otherwise might never experience. For students here in Vermont, it's a chance to see the world through a different lens, appreciate what they have, and recognize the strengths of children whose lives look very different from their own.
After many years in the classroom, I still believe some of the best learning happens when students have the opportunity to see the world through someone else's eyes.
If these 100 fifth graders are any indication, there's plenty of reason to feel hopeful about the future.
With gratitude,
Mary
P.S. It's been a wonderful week of connections! Four of you reached out to tell me how much you enjoy these updates and photos, and I got to hug and thank several longtime supporters in person. It means more than you know. I'm so grateful for this CLP community!
