Now more than ever, building bridges between diverse school communities is a valuable way to build empathy in our students and world. This storytelling session hosted by teachers from AIS Vienna and the Mukwashi Trust School in Zambia will tell the tale of two schools and one organization, Bridges of Peace and Hope, and their work building bridges across the continents. Participants will hear stories and see documentation of their creative collaborations between the two schools and the organization. They will hear first-hand accounts of their teacher exchange experiences, including from visiting teachers from the Mukwashi Trust School in Zambia.
Through the lens of stories and the case study of this continuous partnership, participants will also gain insights into how schools can help their students share their hopes and dreams using creative arts and technology. The session seeks to touch, inspire and call to action students, teachers and leaders to expand their hearts and help transform their communities.
AIS Vienna, Bridges of Peace and Hope, Mukwashi Trust School
When John Farrell traveled to Vienna to visit the American International School in Vienna in 2015, his songs and work with the organization Bridges of Peace and Hope (BOPH) inspired the community.
Hearing of Bridges of Peace and Hope's connection with the Mukwashi Trust School in Lusaka, Zambia, AISV decided to begin building a bridge between the two school communities. Over the years and through the work of dedicated teachers Judah Sikamikami and Ms. Mulemba Sakuwaha in Mukwashi and the dedicated BOPH teacher club at AISV together with the Elementary School Student Council, the two school communities have paved the way for greater understanding using creativity, music and a lot of passion. Their work has resulted in a number of collaborative projects from fundraising to a teacher exchange between the two schools. John Farrell, four teachers of the BOPH club from AISV and the two guest teachers Judah and Mulemba from the Mukwashi Trust School are proud to present together about their collaboration as they build bridges across continents.