The Ethiopia Connection was a free internet-based education programme for New Zealand and Australian primary, intermediate and secondary schools. The programme featured World Vision's work bringing food security to a community in Ethiopia. We aimed to bring students into contact with World Vision workers and community members in Ethiopia, and to help schools make their 40 Hour Famine programmes even more exciting and relevant to students.

The programme ran from 1st to 31st March 2001.

Children heard from a New Zealand teacher as she travelled in Ethiopia, visiting families and observing World Vision's work there. They learnt about daily life in Ethiopia, and connected with children and World Vision workers there through:

• Daily stories and photos on the internet site in Latest News
• Weekly faxes and audioconferences under Latest News
• The chance to ask questions of the visiting teacher in Ask Sharon, and communicate with children in Ethiopia in Get in Touch.
• Discuss issues of food security and other topics with children in New Zealand, Australia and Canada in Discuss the Issues.
• Both teachers and students could share Classroom Ideas and send in photos of their school activities around the Ethiopia connection.

The Ethiopia Connection forms the basis for an integrated Social Studies unit, with sections suitable for levels 2 to 5 (year 4 to 10). The unit can be used alone, or teamed with the World Vision resource set on Ethiopia. Registered schools received a free copy of the internet-based unit during February 2001.