One World Link and EducAid
Our Link School in Bo, Sierra Leone (UMC)
Our school is proud to be part of One World Link, a long‑standing partnership between schools in the UK and schools in the Bo district of Sierra Leone. This friendship link helps pupils in both countries learn about each other’s lives, cultures and educational experiences, and supports our commitment to courageous advocacy and global citizenship.
Building a Connection Across Continents
Bo is a large town in southern Sierra Leone, around four hours from the capital, Freetown. Sierra Leone is similar in size to Scotland, and is known for its natural resources, busy towns, and strong sense of community.
As part of our link with UMC School, pupils have begun exchanging letters, posters and photographs. We recently received a school uniform and letters from children in Bo, which our School Council enjoyed reading and responding to. Their replies included posters created during Growth Mindset Month, allowing pupils here to share encouraging messages and positive learning attitudes with their friends overseas.
The School Council has taken an active role in opening, discussing and replying to the correspondence. This has helped them understand the purpose of global partnership, develop leadership skills and recognise the impact of their communication.
Learning About Life in Sierra Leone
Through the One World Link materials, pupils have explored what life and schooling look like in Bo. They have learned about:
- The geography of Sierra Leone, including that it is one of 54 countries in Africa and has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.
- The daily routines of children in Bo, including busy classrooms, outdoor assemblies, and lessons often taught using chalkboards.
- Community life, including different places of worship and important shared events such as Sports Day, which is a major celebration in many schools.
One memorable moment in our partnership has been sharing the link song “You Are My Brother,” sung by pupils at UMC. Hearing their voices and singing the song in return has given our pupils a meaningful sense of connection.
Courageous Advocacy and Love in Action
Our partnership with UMC Bo gives pupils opportunities to take part in courageous advocacy, learning how their actions can support others and make a positive difference. Recent fundraising events, letter exchanges and shared learning activities have helped children understand global issues and the importance of friendship across cultures.
This link is a valuable part of our curriculum and ethos. It encourages children to:
- Think beyond their immediate surroundings
- Recognise that education looks different around the world
- Understand the challenges and achievements of others
- Appreciate the role they can play in promoting fairness, respect and connection
EducAid and Global Goals
To further strengthen this international connection, our school is now exploring ways to work alongside EduAid and partner schools in Bo to share ideas about teaching and learning. This developing collaboration aims to improve classroom practice in both countries and supports One World Link’s wider focus on quality education as a global priority.
This work links directly to the United Nations Global Goals, particularly the goal that every child has the right to education, regardless of where they live. By engaging with our link school and taking part in shared projects, our pupils learn why access to education matters and how global partnerships can contribute to fairer opportunities for all children.
A Growing Friendship
The relationship between our school and UMC is still developing, but already it has created meaningful learning opportunities. As we continue to exchange letters, share curriculum projects and learn from one another, we look forward to strengthening this connection.
Our pupils are learning not just about the world, but with the world—and that is a powerful and purposeful opportunity for everyone involved.
