UK pupils hear first hand stories about the realities of war from Sierra Leone partners

"The reactions from the girls in the room was complete silence when they heard those stories - they were shocked. I think it will affect them deeply, not in a negative way, but they will be affected by it."

This was Alison Brooker, the learning mentor at Beaconsfield School, as she reflected on a video conference between a group of students from her school with those at their partner school in Sierra Leone, about the impact of war on girls.

Alison said that this issue is something they would probably not have addressed if they had not been linking with Sierra Leone. "We are keen for the girls to broaden their horizons. It's important that they see and hear about things like this going on around the world, and that they do not get wrapped up in their own dramas or become narrow minded".

Interaction

The group of 14 year old girls started off by sharing general experiences of their school and family life. Everything from domestic chores, pocket money and make up, to boyfriends, their favourite music, and their career hopes.

Lauren, Los, Bethan, Sarah and Becky were surprised and delighted to hear that they shared the same taste in music as the girls in Sierra Leone. Usher, Rhianna and Akon were favourites! And their partners in Freetown could not believe that the UK girls could get pocket money from their parents for helping out around the house.

Impact of war

The tone changed however when the girls in Freetown started to talk about their experiences during the war. Some of them had witnessed violence and death of close relatives at the hands of rebel fighters. "I never expected it to be so traumatic," said 15 year old Los. "We have nothing to compare it to." "It made me realise how lucky I am and not to take things for granted in my own life", said Bethan.

There were also tears when, as part of the morning's events, the UK girls were introduced to 17 year old Hawa from Sierra Leone who shared her story. She was forced to become a child soldier by rebel fighters who had killed her parents during the war. She has survived these events and is now working to pay for her own education to become a lawyer so that she can help other girls like herself in her country.

Reactions

"We see things like this on TV sometimes and it has some effect, but it's never so personal, and hearing it from the horses mouth about things that had happened to them personally, was really shocking," said Sarah. "That was only six girls and they all had something to say, and all the girls in their school will have a story."

Lauren added: "Speaking to them ourselves made me realise there is a world outside the protective bubble we live in. It was amazing how strong they were."

All the girls said that they felt motivated by what they had learnt. "We are definitely going to share this with our school in assembly and write to our MP to ask that they take action on this issue."

How did they do that?

The link between Beaconsfield School in London and the Government Rokel School in Freetown, Sierra Leone is facilitated by Plan-ed. Pupils from Beaconsfield school were invited by Plan-ed, the children's educational charity, to take part in the video conference with the Government Rokel School in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The video conference took place at the offices of PLAN in London and the DfID office in Freetown.

Hawa is visiting the UK with Plan to help launch their 2008 report 'Because I am a girl' about the impact of war on the lives of girls worldwide and to call on governments to take action. Check out their lesson plans for KS 3 and 4 related to this campaign. Read the country profile of Sierra Leone on BBC News Listen to Hawa's story on BBC's Outlook programme from Wednesday 21st May.

Why not read more at the BBC World Class website!