Friendship links

Lewisham has received funding from institutions such as the British Council and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum to share ideas about innovative international approaches in areas such as education and the environment. Working together, the Council has been able to share insight and knowledge of solutions to common problems.

Lewisham and Ekurhuleni

In 2002, Lewisham signed a friendship link with Ekurhuleni, an area to the east of Johannesburg in South Africa. 'Ekurhuleni' is a Tsonga word, meaning 'a place of peace'.

Working with the Lewisham Schools Improvement Team, a successful funding application to the British Council gave ten Lewisham primary schools a chance to be part of the Global Schools Project. The following Lewisham schools were connected with ten schools in Ehlanzeni, near Ekurhuleni, South Africa:

• All Saints

• Brindishe

• Dalmain

• Hither Green

• Rangefield

• Rathfern

• St James Hatcham

• St William of York

• Tidemill

• Watergate. 

These schools have been able to use insight from international connections to add depth and understanding to their teaching and learning In the following curriculum areas: citizenship, sports, healthy lifestyles and geography. Each school also had the opportunity to develop specific partnership curriculum links with one school in Ehlanzeni, as well as taking part in professional development workshops funded by the British Council.

Lewisham and Matagalpa

In 1987, during the Sandinista Revolution we became linked with Matagalpa in Nicaragua.

St. Swithin's Church in Hither Green already had links with a church in Matagalpa and it was decided to build on those links. The support continued when we raised funds for Hurricane Mitch, a devastating storm that hit Central America in 1998.