Last week, founders of Postcards to the Front Canada joined Millbrook South Cavan students in Mrs. Parish’s Grade 5 class as part of their global awareness studies and empathy development work.
This was the group’s third visit to the school, and they spoke to students about Ukraine, where it is and what is happening there, including in the educational lives of children, as well as about the women and men who are defending land, lives, culture and freedoms for Ukraine’s children.
Students created postcards on which they wrote messages of support to the defenders of Ukraine. As part of the intro-duction to the task, the group discussed language and why it was meaningful to include at least one phrase in Ukrainian to demonstrate respect for all that the defenders are fighting to preserve.
Here are some of their messages: All of us from Canada are rooting for you from the heart; Stay Strong. Sending warmth and loving wishes from Canada to the heroes of Ukraine; We have faith in you; We are thankful for everything you do for us, protecting kids, families and animals. Ви герої! ; We all remember all the things you do to protect. Дякую!;You are amazing, strong and powerful. You can change the world!
In addition to the discussion about Ukraine, students prepared for Remembrance Day by writing postcard messages to Canadian troops serving with NATO in Poland. Because this segment of this visit occurred during the students’ French lesson, messages were prepared in both French and English. Some went an extra mile as they continued to practice their Ukrainian phrases as well; likely probably because they had learned that some Canadian troops are working with Ukrainian Defenders.
Helen Bajorek of Post-cards to the Front Canada was delighted to see a ten-year-old write “You are heroes! “ in English, French – Vous êtesdes héros ! – and in Ukrainian, Ви герої! This exercise gave students the opportunity to see themselves as part of a global community where their voices could be heard.