Sarah's story

Italy

Hello, my name is Giuseppe. I am Italian, I live in Biancavilla. I’m in 3° Grade. I go at S.G. Bosco, primary school.  l have got a lot friends. I like to play with them. My best friend is Laura. Laura makes me happy.  I like play soccer with my friends.

Today a new friend comes to school.  It is her first day at my school. 

Her name is Sarah. She is from Africa, nobody want to play with her. 

She is different, she has dark skin, short, dark, curly hair, brown eyes, she is thin and tall. She wear a long dress, sandals and a big hat. She arrives in Sicily with a ship full of people. Her dad want to live in Biancavilla. He works in a farmer.

Sarah, her  mum, her  dad and her baby brother  decide to live Biancavilla one year.

Sarah's story

Sarah goes to San Giovanni Bosco School. She is sad. Her friends don't play with her. They say: Sarah you are different, you can’t play with us.

One day Giuseppe and his friends are playing in the garden and they see two different birds, one yellow and one blue playing together. They think: "Look, one yellow bird and one blue bird are playing together!"  They are different and they are playing together. Oh! they think: we can play with Sarah, she  is a nice and kind girl. Giuseppe, his friends and Sarah, now are best friends. All days, they play together. They are very happy. 

One year later, Sarah says to her best friends: “ I go in Portugal with my mum, my dad and m baby brother, to live in Madeira, I will send you a card. You are my best friend, I never forget you!

Hello friends! Please, play soccer with me.

Hello, Giuseppe. Let’s go to play!

I am very sad. I haven’t friends!

Sarah from Africa arrives in a new school…

Look! She is different. 

She can’t play with us.

Hey, boys! Can I play with you?! 

No, you can’t play with us. You are different.

One day, Giuseppe and his friend are playing in the garden…

Look, two little birds, one yellow and one blue are playing together.

Sarah is different. She has dark skin, short, dark, curly hair, brown eyes, she is thin and tall. She wear a long dress, sandals and a big hat, but she is  a nice girl. She can play with us.

A day later…

Hello Sarah, your dress is cool!

Please, lets go to school with us!

Yes! Thank you! I’m happy

One year later Sarah goes away from Biancavilla and… 

“ I go in Portugal with my mum, my dad , my sister and my baby brother, to live in Madeira,. You are my best friend I never forget you. 

Oh nooo!

 You can’t go.

 We love you! 

Don’t worry she comes back.

Bye bye! 

See you!

- Mom, Dad.... The big day has come! Let's get to know Madeira Island.

The big day had come for Sarah and her family! Besides knowing new realities, it was her first plane ride. Already on the plane, Sarah was so excited looking out the window that she didn't realize that a Madeiran boy had sat next to her instead of her parents.

- Hello, my name is Serafim. What’s your name?

- I'm Sarah, and I'm going to live in Madeira Island with my family.

She said, very ashamed, but at the same time very happy, because that boy had spoken to her.

- Seriously? My mother is from Madeira and my father is from the UK.

- Hahaha, how cute! So you're half Madeiran and half English? I didn't know that was possible.

- Yes, that's what we call dual nationality. I was born and raised in an area called Santo António. It's the same Cristiano Ronaldo's birthplace, the best football player in the world!

- I love football and I really like Cristiano Ronaldo! I learned to play with my friends from Italy.

They talked during the whole trip and quickly reached their destination.

- What is this?!

Said Sarah very scared.

- Calm down, Sarah! It is our airport. Cristiano Ronaldo airport is one of the best known in the world for it's runway that is frightening and surprising at the same time.

Serafim did not want to lose that friendship and asked his parents to exchange contacts.  Serafim went to his house and Sarah went to a place in the center of Funchal, next to Colégio da Rochinha.

They became very close. They couldn't wait much time and that day they had to call each other to arrange a tour for the next day.

Serafim's father is a tour agent and easily arranged a van to transport the two families safely, on a tour around the island. 

In one day, they visited fantastic places and tried so many traditional dishes. The high lands were the first places to be visited. 

They discovered Pico Ruivo, which is the third highest peak in Portugal. The “Levada walks” followed, which are paths of nature discovery, covered by water, which are typical paths of Madeira.

- What a good idea this is, building paths next to the water!

- Yes, it’s true. Long ago, in the 16th century, the “Levadas” were built to sprinkle the sugar cane and vine plantations, very important plantations in Madeira. From these routes, we can contact the verdant forest of Madeira, "Laurissilva", natural world heritage of UNESCO and considered one of the seven wonders of Portugal.

The day was also delicious, because they ate the traditional “Espetada” (meat on a laurel spit) with fried cornmeal, tasted the Madeira traditional bread, “bolo do caco”, with garlic butter, drank Poncha, Nikita, the Madeira beer “Coral” and also the Madeira wine.

Sarah and her family loved it because they saw fantastic landscapes and tasted delicious food, so many different things from the country where she came from. 

The next day, Sarah called to Serafim and together they decided to visit more places, so that they could explore more the nature. They had the best visual experience of the city, on the highest promontory in Europe - the viewpoint of Cabo Girão, one of the skywalks with the best view in the world. 

The contact with aquatic animals also took place, with a trip to the Deserted Islands’ Nature Reserve, with the observation of dolphins, whales, turtles and sperm whales through the Catamarans, not missing time for a swim in the natural pools of Porto Moniz, considered one of the best natural pools in the world.

- Sarah, did you know that Madeira Island has different beaches? 

- What do you mean, different beaches?

- As Madeira is a volcanic island, has beaches of volcanic sand (black), others of golden sand and finally pebble (stones). One day you must know Porto Santo Island, because it is considered the golden island for its golden sand and its therapeutic effects for health.

To end the day, they thanked the day contemplating the sunset, in a cable car trip. On that trip, they realized how the Island was filled up with green and flowers.

- Why is this island full of so many flowers and nature?

- Our island is full of flowers not only by our forest, but also because of its tropical climate. You know, Sarah, this island is world known for all the parties we celebrate here. This week, we are celebrating the Flower Festival, where we parade, dance and spread joy to those who are in the city. During your stay here, you will have the opportunity to meet our biggest parties: market night, summer festivals, 16th century market and festival of Colombo, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, wine and embroidery festival, Carnival and local delicacies festivals...

It was two days filled, but the discovery on the island did not end there. However, the start of school was coming.

- I already know all about this island!

- Sarah, you still have so much to get to know, but that's going to happen easily every day. You will know the farmers' market, Ponta de São Lourenço, the gardens (Botanist and Monte Palace), Christ the King (Garajau), riding in the basketwork sledge (Monte)... there are so many things to discover!

- I love this island, Serafim! I know I will be happy every day here, because I will discover new things!

Sarah felt she was part of the island because she had been so welcomed. She felt prepared to do the same as Serafim done for her to other people.

The first day of school arrived and guess who was her classmate? 

In Sarah's life, anything can happen...

The weekend was here and Serafim and Sarah’s family decided to have a barbeque all together. They all met at Serafim’s house. They were playing together and found some photos. Those photos were from a holiday:

Sarah was excited and wanted 

to know everything about it.

MÁLAGA

CÓRDOBA

We have finally arrived! The weather is lovely!

That's our hotel! It's so beautiful!

When they arrived to Málaga...

Serafim and his family visited Picasso’s museum as he was a famous painter born in Málaga. They had the opportunity to see lots of great paintings, sculptures, drawings...

Serafim and his family really enjoyed this museum.

His favourite Picasso’s sculpture was called “mujer”.

"Mujer" by Pablo Picasso. 1961.

Picasso painted great paintings!

They also explored “La Alcazaba”. In the past it was a fortress palace.

When they came in, they couldn't imagine how big it was. The tour guide  explained lots of curious and great stories about it.

It looks so big!

 And they loved “El patio de armas”.

It was such a calm and quiet place. 

They visited “El patio de los 

naranjos”. It had lots of lovely 

flowers and trees. It also had a 

fountain.

Serafim and his family took a sightseeing bus and went all the way

up to Gibralfaro’s viewpoint. They could see Malaga’s bullring, the 

beach, lots of houses, schools, lovely trees, buildings, cars and 

mountains.

They could also spot the port known as Muelle Uno, so 

they decided to have a walk around there.

 There were lots of boats and ships, some car parks, people and restaurants. They went to a nice Spanish restaurant because they wanted to try some local food: paella, Serrano ham, croquetas, seafood and gazpacho.

Food in Málaga was delicious! I loved paella!

I'd love to try it!

They stayed at a great hotel. It was nearby the beach. It had a swimming pool with a slide and lots of activities to do. 

The buffet was delicious, they could try lots of food and dishes.

Their bedroom was really big and comfortable. It had nice views to the beach.

Wow! That hotel sounds great!

Serafim also told Sarah about people from Málaga:

A week later, Sarah and Serafim decided to visit Cordoba.

First of all, they were walking around the centre of the city. 

They really enjoy the typical "patios" of Cordoba, 

completely full of flowers.

Later, they decided to visit the cathedral. When they were ending the visit, they sat outside and they started to remember all the adventures they have share since they have meet on the plane. They have created a lovely friendship.

Yes! It is fantastic.

I have a friend in Turquia. His name is Mufasa . And also last summer I was in Ireland and I meet a new friend ,too.

This boy on the right is my friend Mufasa

Wooow! Can you contact with them?

I wrote down their number.

I cannot believe it. I hope they like the idea and our project will continue.

Let is speak with them.

TURKEY

Mustafa welcomed Sarah at the airport with excitement.

Sarah and Mustafa toured the historical places of Istanbul.

Topkapi palace

Ayasofya mosque

Girl's tower

They ate fish and bread in Eminönü.

The journey of Sarah and Mustafa to Bursa started

Mustafa introduced Sarah to her family. 

They went to the restaurant to eat "Bursa İskender Kebap" together.

Mustafa and Sarah arrived at Abdurrahman Vardar Primary School early in the morning. They visited Mustafa's class. Teacher Founder of Republic of Turkey in the course introduces the great leader Atatürk.

Sarah and Mustafa played games in the schoolyard.

Sarah and Mustafa skied in Uludağ.

They visited the museum about marbling art and silkworm.

Mustafa gave Saraha candied chestnut and Bursa towel as a gift.