It’s a sound friendship
When three teachers from a school in Ghana came to visit Muthill Primary School near Crieff it brought a joyous exchange of cultures.
It began in 2006 when Muthill PS was successful in getting funding from the British Council.
Ever since, teachers from the Tafo community in the African country have come on exchange visits, forging strong links.
Head teacher Keri Reid MBE has visited Juliet Johnston School herself several times so she was determined the visiting teachers from there would have a warm welcome to Scotland last week. A ceilidh in the village hall was organised to show Ophelia Arku
(33), Juliet Osafo (69) and Benjamin Tenkorang (32) how Perthshire people like to get together and dance.
Members of the Muthill community brought in samples of Scottish food for the dance on March 4 in the village hall.
“They loved the dancing, especially Mr Ben,” explained Keri. “He is going to teach his class the Military Twostep as soon as he gets back and they will teach Scottish dancing in PE lessons to the pupils for our next trip.
“He even helped our younger pupils learn the Scottish dances!
“Ophelia loved the music and sang at the ceilidh for us. As a staff we even managed some Scottish dancing to Ghanaian music.
“Juliet said she has loved the hospitality and friendly welcome she has had from everyone they have met.”
The three teachers then had an interesting day in the classroom on Thursday, March 5 as everyone played Fairtade games and activities and travelling drumming teacher Chief Suleman Chebe, who is also from Ghana, dropped in to give a workshop.
The children wore the colours of the Ghanaian flag - red, yellow and green - to class and learnt a lot about their ‘sister school’ in Africa.
“The pupils have had a fantastic week and it has been sad to say goodbye this morning,” said Keri on Wednesday. “The pupils have showered them with cards and drawings.
“It has just been so fantastic to reciprocate the hospitality that we are always shown when we visit. Our partnership may be founded on shared educational values but it is also a community one based on love and friendship.”