Ivory Coast and Serbia: The exchange was led on the Ivorian side by the art teacher, and on the Serbian side by the English teacher. The first theme they had to work on was “My dreams”. Then both schools have kept very regular and prolific exchanges, exchanging photographs, other drawings, books, presents, and even had a conference call! Indeed, since the education at the Ivorian school was taught in English, both teachers profited from this opportunity to lead video conference over the internet, thus consolidating the friendship their students had formerly created by art, and giving their students a new opportunity to speak English.
Dolores Gbric, the English teacher and AiA exchange coordinator in Serbia says: “I am very grateful for the opportunity you gave us to have friends in Africa. It was something so surreal that my kids and I would never have imagined. The kids loved the letters, arts and the presents. A board in the school’s hall was decorated with the works we received. We impressed other children, parents and the school officials. The play Regina’s children wrote was not only amusing, but raised my children’s awareness how important it is to recycle. They were proud they have helped too by having collected old paper. The AIA project will be officially included in our next school year program. I hope it is ok with you. We plan to include more children and most importantly merge the project with our traditional arts workshops. The principal and other school officials are pleased to see our children have friends in Africa and they also want our children to participate with their art works more. Also, we are promised better Internet chat conditions. I hope we will have the chance to work together again. You were of great help. You inspired me, although the arts are something I always lacked. You and your children were real friends and we all want to continue this friendship. All in all, we wish the exchanges to continue. We wish to be a part of the AIA world!”
Regina Maniacci, the art teacher and AiA exchange coordinator in Cote d’Ivoire says: “I know my students in Africa loved making new friends with your class as well! Dolores also inspired me . . . her organization skills and ideas for teaching were fantastic! We all have special gifts to share and learn from eachother . . . its what makes AIA contacts so amazing”
