From Llanelli to Lesotho – Carmarthenshire pupils step up to the challenge

Pupils at 10 Carmarthenshire primary schools have completed a virtual walk from Llanelli to Thaba Tseka in Lesotho, as part of the ‘Walk the Global Walk’ international programme.

The programme, led in Wales by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Dolen Cymru Lesotho, aims to educate children about global issues related to migration, climate change and gender equality.

Hundreds of children have been walking daily over the last fortnight, tracking their daily step count to complete a virtual walk to Lesotho in southern Africa.

Carmarthenshire school children have enjoyed a long relationship with counterparts in Lesotho because the country is ‘twinned’ with Wales.

As well as a great opportunity for children to learn about schools in other countries, different cultures and languages, taking part in Walk the Global Walk helps contribute to physical fitness and understanding about global issues.

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, Zambia and Botswana.

When the schools have totalled enough steps to reach each country, a welcome video from a school there has been shared with them.

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, which promotes not only physical fitness but 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 countries along their virtual journey.”

Ceri Morris, headteacher at Swiss Valley Primary School in Llanelli, 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 about Walk the Global Walk, visit walktheglobalwalk.eu