CONNECTING COMMUNITIES with Lancaster University
LoL Unlimited would like to give a big thanks to all the staff and students that visited Brown’s Tiny Tots from Lancaster University in the UK.
On Tuesday, September 16th, Brown’s Tiny Tots was hit with another wave of creativity, this time done by undergrad students who had taken the opportunity to explore the Ghanaian culture through a 3-week cultural exchange program. Although they had visited multiple philanthropic organizations supporting children in Ghana, Brown’s in Korle Gonno offered a unique experience.
After a brief introduction to our area and school, the UK students immediately began painting the interior of the perimeter wall. With the wall divided into 9 sections, and there being 18 students present, they split into pairs, coordinated colors, and began to unleash their inner artiste.
In just under an hour, the wall had been layered with multi-colored paint.
Naptime was conveniently ending just as the final strokes of the masterpiece were being completed. The wall looked fantastic!
It was time to scrub their hands, which was much more needed by some than by others. After everyone was clean(-ish), we all congregated in our newly established cafeteria. The Brown’s Staff individually introduced themselves and the Tiny Tots serenaded our new friends with their synchronized “Welcome” song.
Once the applauding stopped, they broke into small groups, each undergrad with 2-4 children, and read them books for story time.
The visit wrapped up with free-play in front of our freshly painted wall. Our new friends had brought soccer balls, chalk, and candy for all the kids to enjoy. The schoolyard was flooded with children, all overflowing with the excitement of not only having new toys, but also new friends!
Though this was a special experience for the Lancaster students, it stood as an unforgettable moment for the Tiny Tots. Prior to LoL’s arrival, the majority of the children in the school and community had not experienced the presence of foreigners (especially 20 at one time). Connecting these two communities offered to be a great learning opportunity for all.