Parents
What is ChildFund Connect?
ChildFund Connect is an education program from ChildFund Australia for students in their last years of primary school in Australia, Laos, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. We inspire students to learn about the world by developing meaningful links with their overseas peers.
Who is ChildFund Connect for?
Children in the final of primary school in Australia, Laos, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam.
We run specific programs with Australian primary schools for years 5 and 6 and also within schools and children’s clubs overseas. We hope that our child-made content is viewed widely by many children and educators in Australia and overseas.
How does my child use this website?
Your child can discover what life is like for children living in different countries through an online game based on child-made videos. Users simply need to register (with an email address), create an avatar and begin the game.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. ChildFund Connect is partly funded by Australian Aid, managed by ChildFund Australia on behalf of AusAID (The Australian Government’s overseas aid program).
Is it safe?
ChildFund Connect is designed to be a child safe space. We gather minimal personal information about your child (such as an email address and first name) and encourage online anonymity from our users. Users can create a cartoon avatar for their profile picture, and are not recommended to post real photographs of themselves. Any interactive features on ChildFund Connect, such as comment posting, are actively moderated. For more information please see our Privacy Policy.
What about advertising?
There is no advertising on ChildFund Connect.
My child’s school is part of ChildFund Connect this year, what’s involved?
The ChildFund Connect year is broken up into two parts. In Term 1 and 2 your child’s class will connect with one classroom, or extra-curricular children’s club, in one ChildFund Connect partner country (Viet Nam, Timor-Leste, Laos, Sri-Lanka). Students will learn about their partner’s country and participate in a video exchange project. In Term 3 and 4, students will participate in an international project involving all ChildFund Connect schools and communities in Australia, Laos, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
How do you involve students and teachers overseas?
ChildFund Connect employs facilitators in each country to run activities with students and teachers. A ChildFund Connect facilitator in each country selects school groups (in years 5 or 6) or children’s clubs to participate in the activities. These students live in areas where ChildFund Australia is already working and implementing developing projects. They are usually rural and farming communities.
How do the groups communicate?
Video, which is translated and subtitled for each school, is the main tool that groups use to communicate with one another. Internet and electricity is limited in many ChildFund Connect overseas communities. Because of this, students create short videos, drawings and stories to share with their overseas peers. When possible, Skype is also used to connect groups in real time, with the support of a translator.
I am a teacher. How can I use ChildFund Connect in the classroom?
We encourage teachers and their students view and interact with the videos and media on our site to learn more about children living in different parts of the world. We also run specific programs with Stage 3 classes in Australian primary schools. If you are interested to learn more about these programs please send an email of interest to [email protected] or visit out teachers’ page.
Who is ChildFund Australia?
ChildFund Australia is a child-focused, non-for-profit and international development organization. We strive to make the world a safer, healthier and happier place for children. Click here to find out more about ChildFund Australia’s work.
Where is ChildFund Connect?
ChildFund Connect is a ChildFund Australia program. ChildFund Australia is located in Surry Hills, Sydney. ChildFund Australia also has program offices in Laos, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Where can I get more information?
Email us at [email protected] or call us on 1800 023 600