Rafi.ki (which means friend in Kiswahili) allows schools to collaborate on structured projects via technology like video conferencing, instant messaging and forums. Teachers and pupils in more than 1,000 schools are learning from their peers in culturally diverse parts of the globe. Cross-curricular projects cover topics like the environment, slavery, languages and conflict prevention. Teachers can also create their own projects.
The Koya Secondary School for Girls joined Rafi.ki to explore video conferencing with UK schools and has set up a partnership with Central Foundation Girls‚ School in Bow, London. So far, the students have been introducing themselves to the worldwide community via instant message and talking with students from Lower Merion High School Pennsylvania, USA. UK students have been intrigued by the pupils describing themselves as Kurdish rather than Iraqi and have been very keen to find out more about the ethnic differences within Iraq.
The diversity of the Rafi.ki network is a deliberate result of its commercial structure. As a social enterprise, run by education charity Gemin-i, Rafi.ki charges UK schools £750 for Gold Membership, but the resource is free to schools in other countries. This has attracted schools from across the world and particularly those from developing countries. UK schools get added value because the projects are designed to fit the National Curriculum.
John MacNutt believes the variety of nations on Rafi.ki delivers a unique experience. He said: "Personal communication between children in very different situations is tremendously powerful. For example projects on slavery have incredible impact when pupils talk to children in places like Brazil, Uganda and the Philippines who have actual experience of things like child labour.
This interaction can also create empathy and understanding."
