Letter Exchange Helps Create Global Citizens
Education has the power to open young eyes to the world in which we share; for them to see the daily situation of millions of refugees and the common humanity that binds us all together.
On this theme, RESPECT International e-Zine interviewed Jennifer Dulac, a teacher at The American School, Japan, about her experience teaching students about current refugee situations in Darfur, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Jennifer used the RESPECT Global Letter Exchange Program as a key tool to connect her students to the lives of refugees.
Jennifer explained her motivations for adopting the program and encouraging her students to swap letters with refugees in Ghana.
"I wanted to have my class take part in the letter exchange program because I didn't want them to think of refugees as a them/us issue," she explained. "I hoped that they'd realize that, first and foremost, refugees are students and individuals just like them, who have hopes and dreams for the future, who enjoy making friends, laughing and playing, and who want to make the world a better place."
Many of her students who have participated in the program have since been motivated to become involved with further campaigning and awareness raising on behalf of refugees.
They have written to government officials, organised a school fundraiser, arranged for the head of Refugees International Japan to speak to the school about the issue, and arranged for profits from the school dance to be donated to refugee charities. Through these acts, they have raised awareness about refugees amongst the whole student body and beyond.
Proud teacher Jennifer believes that the letter exchange program had a truly emotional impact on many of her students. "The unit on refugee situation was quite powerful," she said. "I think the letter exchange is a way to bridge communities, to debunk stereotypes, and to help students realize that we are all global citizens who need to take responsibility for our future."