Page 21 - ELG2408 August Issue 491

SPECIAL FEATURE
Pen-pals

Students in Portugal and Spain cross a cultural divide using their
language skills to support their fellow students in Ukraine, all while

raising money for a good cause!

Name: Adriana Araújo, Ana Ferreira, Carla Pinto, Isabel
Vieira, Patrícia Granja (Efanor Team) and Anne Robinson
Role: Senior teachers (Efanor Team), Volunteer teacher for
Smart Osvita and Founder of Bracelets and Peace (Anne)
Countries: Portugal (Efanor Team), Spain and Ukraine (Anne)
Age group: 9-10 years old (Portugal), 9-14 (Ukraine)

‘A culmination of so many actions and gatherings’—Anne
This organically growing project aimed to empower students on both sides:
some felt they could make a tangible difference in the world, while others
felt seen and appreciated despite their hardships. Working in pairs and
groups with their classmates and families, the students enthusiastically
listened to, read, wrote, and spoke in English throughout the project.

a chain of

wonderful

people doing
Students’ messages of love and support for Ukraine

At Colégio Efanor, the 4th-grade students participated in an
inspiring activity called ‘Peace Factory’. Collaborating with their wonderful
parents, the students crafted bracelets in the colours of the
Ukrainian flag, memory games, and squishy balloons, all sold to
support the NGO ‘Bracelets and Peace’. things
This fundraiser was followed by the students writing positive
messages in speech bubbles, which were shared with Ukrainian
students who joined Anne’s online class for Smart Osvita.
In return, the Ukrainian students sent thank-you speech
bubbles back! by Colégio Efanor
Motivated by this exchange, the Portuguese students
created an e-book detailing their daily routines, information
about Portuguese Freedom Day, and aspects of the Portuguese
language. The project culminated in a virtual gathering
where both groups of students shared their thoughts Colégio Efanor’s e-book featuring students’ written work.
and feelings.
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