Oct 7, 2009 9:30 am US/Central
Students Learn About Afghanistan Through Pen Pals
CANNON FALLS, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Cannon Falls students have been reading letters written by children in Afghanistan and have been writing back to them.
CBS
This week marks the eighth anniversary of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. And while the mission there is currently under great debate, kids are learning about it in a whole new way.
In Missy Klapperich's sixth grade social studies class in Cannon Falls Minn., students are curious about the world and are especially curious about the children growing up where there is war.
"Over there they can easily get bombed and over here it's much different," said T.J. Danielson.
The students have been reading letters written by children in Afghanistan and have been writing back to them.
"I hope it makes them feel like they're important and someone cares about them," said Brooke Peters.
"Some of their fears, where they were afraid about being bombed in school, and they hated hate," said Rianne Lund.
The letters will be hand-delivered by Dina Fesler of
Children's Culture Connection.
"It's not about war, it's not about politics, it's about kid to kid," said Fesler.
Fesler will be going to Afghanistan next month. She has been to schools all around the world, bringing home lessons for classrooms.
"Iraq and Afghanistan are pretty important places because our countries are intertwined in really intense ways," said Fesler. "In order for real healing to happen our children need to know each other."
"Global citizenship is a huge issue," said Klapperich. She and fellow teacher Amy Dombeck look forward to the opportunity to teach something current and relevant.
"With the Afghanistan project we will have a face-to-face sort-of connection," said Klapperich.
"How does war affect people and how does it affect you and your family," said Dombeck, "And we have people that have servicemen and women overseas."
Cannon Falls students will also start fundraising for Afghan students. For every $100 raised, one Afghan student will go to vocational school. Students look forward to that lesson most of all.
"I hope that they learn that they have a second chance in the world, more than they have right now," said Matthew Breuer.
To find out more about the program, go to
Children's Culture Connection's Web site.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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