Learning across cultures

Sugar Bay in Zinkwazi played host to a few special guests recently.
Foreign pupils from American International Schools in Johannesburg and Libreville, the capital city of Gabon, recently visited the adventure camp for community service.
Resort manager Kathie Day said the pupils linked with local farm school Bongimfundo Primary, situated between Zinkwazi and Darnall.
The little school has 100 pupils, five classrooms and only four teachers. The lack of space means several grades have to be taught together in one classroom.
“Their principal Pitamber Ramgathi welcomed us with open arms. Bongimfundo barely manages on the rather limited government budget they receive and are extremely grateful for any help.”
The AIS pupils were split into groups and worked with different classes, exposing them to challenges teachers face in the classroom, especially the language barrier.
They sang, danced and helped the Bongimfundo pupils with mathematics, biology, sport and shared some lunch with them.
“Apart from the fact that there are a few Bongimfundo pupils pronouncing their English words with an American accent, they received three days of alternative learning involving a more practical and hands on approach.”