SALEM — Soule School students and their African counterparts have shared a lesson that extends beyond any geographical boundary.

Third- and fourth-graders at the Soule School sent a donation to an all-girl school in Africa and followed up Oct. 25 with a Skype call to the students from Kibera, in the Nairobi area of Kenya. The African school has 100 students and 14 teachers. Soule has 240 students, 52 staff members, and 14 teachers. After giggles and greetings were exchanged by the two groups the questions began.

They quickly found some common ground: classes on fractions, Christmas day celebrations and chores. Soon they discovered some differences. Soule School students listed pizza among their favorite foods, eliciting a response of “what is pizza?”

Each school had studied the other's country.

Soule students sang the Star-Spangled Banner for their new friends and responded with applause and thumbs up when the African anthem was performed. School songs were also shared.

“It was fun and really cool to talk to girls on the other side for the world,” said Leslie Kramer, 8.

She enjoyed learning about their holidays and the fact that Christmas is celebrated in Africa but most other popular American holidays are not, Kramer said. She'd like to visit the school and meet everyone in person someday, she said.

Ryan Bouchruche, 8, hopes for more opportunity to talk with his new friends in the future.

“I liked talking to people that are far away and asking questions that I never knew,” he said.

Bouchruche was surprised to learn the students wear uniforms and don't live at the school, he said. Given the chance he'd like to ask them about the games they play at recess.

“I'm really glad they were able to start this relationship and continue it,” said third-grade teacher Amy Jasperson.

The students gave up recess time to box donations and create posters for their fundraising efforts, she said. They raised about $1,000 for books, supplies and materials.

“It's nice for them to see they can have an impact and help shape the future for these girls,” Jasperson said. “It's a powerful thing.”

More than 300 children applied for the girls' school but only about 90 were admitted. Hearing them describe their joy at being chosen was good for the Soule students, Jasperson said.

“To see that and how much education is valued is an important message for them,” she said.

She believes it was a positive experience for the children to discuss how much they have in common and wants to keep the connection by sharing pictures, art, and music via the Internet.

“I definitely want it to be something that's ongoing and can grow,” Jasperson said.

jhanson@newstote.com