Global Connections at Salmon Bay

Louisa in class at Salmon Bay

Sister Schools builds global connections between thousands of students each year. Today, I want to introduce you to one of them. Louisa just finished 8^th grade at Salmon Bay Elementary, and is excited to start high school this fall. She is a talented soccer player. She loves her dog Spike and spending time with her family. She dreams of being a journalist when she grows up. 

Louisa participated in our program last fall and got to experience firsthand a global connection with students at Kiyunga Primary School, half-a-world away. She donated pens, pencils and protractors to our supply drive. When she began our program, she thought it was about encouraging generosity, and learning to appreciate what she has. While that was part of it, what she discovered was a much deeper, reciprocal experience.  

Louisa and her mom collected school supplies from their home that they were no longer using, and also purchased a number of new items to donate. Louisa’s mom encouraged her to give as much as she could. And giving felt fun and exciting. 

“It felt really good! The students at Kiyunga look so happy with something that is basic for students here. It was really cool to see how excited and happy they were. It is  important for everyone to have access to school supplies so that they can get the best education that they need, and it is good to connect with people, even if it is across the  world. It shows that even if you don’t know someone you can make a difference in their life.” 

Louisa holding one of the protractors she donated during Sister Schools' supply drive.

But that was just the beginning. Louisa had to wait until the spring to get to the best part of the Sister Schools program.

At our return presentation, Louisa and the rest of the Salmon Bay students also received a gift from the Kiyunga students! To complete the circle of giving, Kiyunga students choreographed and filmed a special dance for their Seattle Sister School. We showed Salmon Bay students the dance, alongside photos of their donated items in the hands of their peers. Louisa loved it! 

“I thought it was really cool that after we had given them the school supplies, they made a dance for us. They were speaking to us in our native language, and the dance was really special and will stick with me for a while. The dance was originally for kings and queens - they were treating us like important people, and that made me feel like the connection we had made with these students was so strong even though we had never met them! I want to learn more about their culture, and see a deeper view of their life.”     

The connections we are building between students in Seattle and Uganda are invaluable! Young people like Louisa will now grow up with a deeper sense of understanding and respect for those around them. Thank you for supporting them on this journey!