Promotional Feature
Years 5 & 6 pupils at The Ryleys School, Alderley Edge, have written letters in Italian to elderly residents in a care home in Fanna, Italy to cheer them up and make them feel less isolated.
The letters, in which the children introduced themselves and told the residents about themselves were written using the language skills the children have learned in their school Italian lessons.
The link to the care home was fostered by school Italian teacher, Maestra Allen. Maestra Allen's mother, who is Italian and a resident in the care home, has been explaining how the residents have not had any visitors for almost a year and some have become incredibly lonely. She said: "To receive a letter from a child, especially from another country, would mean so much to them."
Maestra Allen, added: "The children were incredibly excited to be able to practice their Italian by writing to a real person who would enjoy reading their letters. They were also very touched that they would be able to reach out to someone in need a make a difference to their day."
The care home Manager, Dottoressa Antonella Maurizio has received all the letters and has been reading them out to the residents. Le Betulle Care Home Manager, said: "The residents have been delighted at knowing that the children have been thinking of them". She added: "Their written Italian is excellent and the pictures have cheered them up the residents enormously."
Head Teacher, Mrs Julia Landford, added: "I am very proud to know that the children have used their time during lockdown to make a difference to someone who has struggled through this difficult time. To be able to use their additional language to do this is wonderful as it allows the children to reach to people well beyond their immediate network and the wider world."
