Pupils at 9 Carmarthenshire primary schools have completed a virtual walk from Llanelli in Wales to Thaba Tseka in Lesotho, Wales' twin country in Southern Africa. They have been walking daily over the last month and tracking their step count.
It has been a great opportunity for children to learn about the SDGs, as well as about schools in other countries. They have enjoyed seeing the similarities and appreciated the different cultures and languages. Taking part has also helped contribute to physical fitness and help the children empathise with learners in Lesotho who walk many miles to and from school every day. 
The virtual route pupils have followed has taken them through France, Italy and Greece, then onto Egypt and through other African countries including Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.When the schools have totalled enough steps to reach each country, a welcome video from a school there has been shared with them, for example from the Peace School in Rwanda. Pupils have also been provided with a souvenir passport to record their experience.
Cllr Glynog Davies, Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services, said: “I would like to congratulate children for taking part in this fantastic programme and this initiative, which promotes not only physical fitness but a better understanding of the world and the challenges we face.We value our relationship and friendship with Lesotho - our children learn so much from their regular interaction with fellow pupils. During Walk the Global Walk they have also learned about many other countries along their virtual journey.” Ceri Morris, headteacher at Swiss Valley Primary School, added: “Our pupils are highly motivated by this initiative and are enjoying step count assemblies at the end of each week. Each class has been researching one of the eight countries that the Walk travels through and presenting their findings at virtual assemblies.”
For further information see Brasgamu i Lesotho - Stepping it out to Lesotho! (padlet.com)
