Starting in December, Class 303 began an exchange program with the "Future Faces Free School for Underprivileged Children" located in Sierra Leone, West Africa. This is a unique opportunity for students to learn about each other’s very different living environments and educational conditions.

The students of Class 303 were full of curiosity about their new friends in Sierra Leone. In the first phase of the exchange, they asked many questions:

● What is the weather like in summer and winter? What’s the temperature?

● Does your school have a nap time? Where do you take naps?

● How do students get to and from school?

● What transportation is available in the village?

● How do families usually wash clothes?

● Do students have homework? How do they complete their assignments?

● What time do students go to and leave school?

● How do teachers and students have lunch? Where do they eat? What foods are typically served?

We quickly received replies from Sierra Leone:

● Unlike countries with four distinct seasons, Sierra Leone has a tropical climate with two main seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. Temperatures range between 22°C and 32°C.

● Yes, there is nap time at school. Students take naps in the area used as the school grounds.

● Students walk to school, as all of them live in villages close to the school.

● The village uses old cars for transportation, as the roads are bumpy and dusty.

● Yes, students have homework, but completing it is often challenging due to (A) lack of electricity, (B) limited books or learning materials, and (C) no internet or digital devices. When notebooks are unavailable, they creatively use scrap paper to write on.

● School starts at 8:45 AM and ends at 2:00 PM.

● Teachers and students eat lunch together at the school. Lunch usually consists of rice.

Through this exchange, our students gained a deeper appreciation for the abundant resources we have in Taiwan and an understanding of the challenges faced by people in other parts of the world. What touched us most was the pure joy and satisfaction the children in Sierra Leone showed in their learning, despite having limited material resources.

We hope this exchange inspires our children to be more grateful for what they have and to view the diverse world with empathy and understanding. It is an opportunity to nurture a sense of responsibility and compassion for others, creating a more caring and inclusive future.