The friendly benchmark

LONELINESS has been banished from a leading school in the kingdom thanks to a series of special benches and a commitment from pupils to offer a warm welcome to new arrivals to Bahrain.

The country attracts thousands of expat families and the experience, although often rewarding, can prove perilously painful for some children who have left their old friends and family members behind.

To ensure joining the British School of Bahrain is a positive experience the 'Chain of Friendship' benches - brightly hand painted by child volunteers - are springing up around the school in Hamala.

The scheme is the brainchild of parent and mother-of-three Jan-Marie Burnham, from Jasra, who said: 'It has become a common seed that new children that join the school are often left feeling alone, isolated and a little intimidated by their new surroundings, and as our school community grows it is not only the new children that can sometimes feel overwhelmed.

'The friendship benches are a special place where anyone can go and sit when they are feeling sad, alone, or just in need of some kind words and support.

'At any time a child sees another on the bench they go and talk to them. Not only does this encourage children to communicate with each other it also encourages children to express their feelings.'

This week 150 children at the popular school, which has 1,200 pupils, staged a special paint day to finish off two new benches and make a pledge to follow the friendship philosophy.

The new teak additions join an existing bench which was unveiled at the start of the academic year thanks to funds donated by parents.

It is hoped similar schemes could be set up throughout the kingdom's schools.

Mrs Burnham, an Australian interior designer who runs Black Pearl Design, added: 'Our programme of sponsorship is ongoing and we hope to have a large chain of friendship benches throughout the school.'

MORE_than 30 children were involved in the first project to create a friendship bench which would expel loneliness from the British School of Bahrain playground.

The scheme has become so popular that two more have been painted up and even more are planned in the New Year and company sponsorship may be sought to help cover the cost.

Co-ordinator Jan-Marie Burnham said: 'As our school community grows children may sometimes feel intimidated, frightened or just shy. Not all children are able to easily communicate with others so everyone that contributes to this bench pledges that if they see a child on it they will immediately go and sit with them.

'After moving here I quickly found out that there were always a lot of new children arriving on the island. So the benches are a safe, common ground where a new child, or a scared child or even a lonely child can go. Even a teacher can sit on the bench for some company!

'At the end of the day we all want to enrich our children's knowledge on how to care and be more considerate towards others.

'Even more so than the parents, the children have now driven this project. Those who have not been involved this time around are already running home to tell their parents that they want to get involved.

'Everyone is so proud and the kids know exactly where their handprints are on the benches. All the children take ownership of the benches as well as the philosophy behind them.'

The project was inspired by her 10-year-old daughter Francesca's experience at school in London, as mum explained: 'She was really shy and used to sit on a bench that was donated by a family in memory of their daughter who passed away on it.

'Francesca got comfortable on this bench and it became a catalyst to making her feel better. The idea then came about and evolved into the friendship bench. That's when we started planning the concept and how to paint them.'

Her daughter Francesca, 10, said: 'I like the friendship bench and have already met a lot of children through it. I have also seen a lot of kids sitting on the bench and others chatting with them. I think it really works.'

And it's proved a winner too with pupil Aleena Burgess, six, from Saar, who said: 'I like the friendship bench. I have sat on it and made a lot of friends.'

Bill Frost, the British School's headmaster, said: 'I think this is absolutely marvellous. I think the benches represent the philosophy of the school and I am absolutely delighted with the contributing parents and friends and particularly Mrs Burnham and her husband, Steven, who have done a superb job.

'If you are feeling lonely then go and sit on the bench and the children will come around and have a chat with you. It actually works. That's why I sit on it all the time!'