Students at Harrington Sound Primary school are learning first hand what life is like for many in Arequipa, Peru.

Through an exchange programme with Prescott, a private school in the South American country, Harrington Sound Primary is playing host to ten students.

"We are the only public school on the Island in the programme," said Principal of Harrington Sound, Beverly Daniels.

"The students are all visiting in a student-to-student exchange programme. The Peruvians are hosted by families from Harrington Sound school for three weeks and we will make a reciprocal visit in April for two weeks."

There are two chaperones travelling with eight ten-year olds and two 12-year olds who arrived on January 18 and leave this Saturday.

"They are all from Prescott a private school of about 1,000 students from pre-school to senior school," Mrs. Daniels said.

The visitors performed last week in the school's assembly hall during the annual international dinner.

"They sang their national anthem, danced, showed us musical instruments and gave talks on various aspects of their culture including the Incas, slavery and their food," Mrs. Daniels said.

When the Harrington Sound students return the visit in April they will rekindle friendships started at home. Funding for the visit by the Bermudians is complete and Mrs. Daniels was happy to report that parents will not have to fork out any cash to enable their children to attend.

"We had help from a number of sources including the Bank of Bermuda Foundation," she said.