BUDEHAVEN and Holsworthy have been running a joint project with their partner school in Assosa, Ethiopia.

During the summer term, Budehaven participated in several fundraising events, including a sponsored walk and a garden party.

Along with contributions from the students and funds generously donated by Bude-Stratton Town Council, the Blanchminster Trust and Bude Rotary Club, the school finally reached its target amount, which was used for flights and accommodation for three pupils and two teachers from each school.

It is hoped there will be enough left over to pay for two teachers to visit from Assosa High School.

Nicky Gowan, modern foreign languages teacher from Budehaven, said: “The trip was life-changing. We worked alongside pupils and teachers from primary and secondary schools to share experiences, teaching methods and resources. We visited and participated in science lessons, with our students leading practical experiments and we took part in English lessons, introducing and participating in speaking activities. At the primary schools, our students led leadership activities and we left resources like skipping ropes, frisbees and footballs.

“The next phase of the project will begin in January when we are hoping that we will be able to host two teachers from Assosa High School. We are planning an evening of entertainment for our visitors, which will also be an opportunity for us to share our amazing experience in Ethiopia with interested parties.”

Holsworthy Community College’s Debbie Alford said: “Meeting the children from the primary schools, for me, was the highlight of the trip. They were so friendly and were desperate to practise their English on us.

“We went into two primary schools and played games with groups of children — using balls, skipping ropes and frisbees; they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we then left the items with them. We were allowed to join in an English class and, although it was very crowded, the students got up to let us sit down, before they started singing as part of their lesson.

“The students all wore blue shirts; boys wore blue trousers and girls wore full-length skirts as their uniform, but I say the word ‘uniform’ loosely as many of the items of clothing were falling to pieces and had been re-sewn several times, but this did not distract from their beaming faces.

“It was different to see young people aged 18 years of age in primary school classes; the system they have over there is that students do not move onto the next class until they pass a test.

“Walking to the schools daily was amazing; I felt a bit like a film star, as children came up to say hello to us and waved. Although seeing many men standing on the pavement waiting for work was heart-rending, especially as some of them were the same age as my Dad. It was then that I realised how I take for granted my job and how lucky I am that at the end of each month I get paid. If there is one thing this trip has taught me — do not take things for granted, be grateful for each day — even running water and electricity!”

Some thoughts from the students on their return:

n “During the activities in Assosa, we all got to know not just the students from Ethiopia, but also the other students involved in the trip from Bude and Holsworthy, and we have all made friendships that we will not forget.”

— “I will never forget the beaming smiles of the primary school children when we gave out pencils at the end of our morning there.”

— “My most memorable moment was in a primary classroom when a little boy of 7 or 8 showed me his ‘favourite book’. When I asked him why it was his favourite, he said that it was because it was the only one he had.”

— “At a talent show which was put on especially for us, the electric generator broke down, but the children carried on performing and smiling in the ramshackle building in the dark!”

— “The standout moment of the trip for me was at Assosa High School Girls Club. We learnt that the girls there were the highest achievers in Maths and Science but were not encouraged to go to university by their families as they were expected to get married and become carers for younger children.”

— “I have grown up in a secluded area which has little diversity. The trip to Ethiopia has really opened my eyes, made me a more rounded individual and completely changed my outlook on life.”