On January 12 a powerful earthquake devastated the Haitian capital, Port au Prince.

Pupils around the world send messages and questions to pupils in a Port au Prince through BBC World Service reporters on The World Today. 

The World Today will also be reporting from a UNICEF temporary school in the Haitian capital with interviews from pupils and teachers in Indonesia, Sichuan and Chile.

Photo from a UNICEF emergency school in Haiti, copyright UNICEF used with permission.

St Joseph’s Convent, Karachi, Pakistan

We as a student community feel very deeply about your loss. We had similar situations in our country when the earthquake took place in the north of our country. We want to help. Please tell us how.

Blackheath High School, London, UK

We have studied the Haiti earthquake as part of our studies on tectonic hazards.  We think you are immensely brave to have survived such a massive natural disaster. 

Stay strong, and remain optimistic, keep persevering and we hope this experience will make you stronger. We hope as well that Port au Prince does not experience an earthquake of such intensity ever again.

Sleepy Hollow High School, USA

We're terribly sorry for your families and everything that's happened to you.  It's impossible to understand the kind of suffering you all have been through, but we're doing all we can to help.  At our school, we have been doing a number of activities to raise money for your country.

Try not to get overwhelmed, and know the world is on your side.

Audenshaw School, Manchester, UK

I speak for everybody in Audenshaw when I say we are sorry for everyone in Haiti as they have been traumatised by this natural disaster.

I bought about 5 yellow ribbons at my school and we raised £596.  Pupils have been touched by the disaster that destroyed many homes and I would like to come to your country and try and help.  I know what it feels like to lose someone close to you.

Njad Girls High School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

We feel that we should communicate with each other so that we can help you.  We also feel sorry that this earthquake happened in your country.

We pray that it won't happen again.  When we watched the news we were very concerned and we prayed for you.

Well Cathedral School, Somerset, UK

Dear Haitians,  We are thinking of you and are so sorry to hear of what you are going through.  We hope that the help you have been sent has made a difference and has been worthwhile.  We hope that your lives will return to normal as a soon as possible.

Southwick Primary School, Sunderland, UK

Our children produced the following acrostic, which spells Haiti;

Hope  Ambition  Improve  Trust  Imagination

Koya Secondary School for Girls, Iraq

Hope all of you will be fine, our hearts with innocent people.  We are Kurds.  We love every one around the world.  We really want to know about you.

Nohara Elementary School, Nara, Japan

Keep hold of your dreams, your hope and your will! It must be hard, but you can't let yourself get discouraged.

I want to save the children in Haiti, but I can't get there!  I can only encourage you from here. It's so frustrating. Please don't give up!

Life must be tough, but please keep a smile on your face and treasure the life you have.

St. Augustine’s College, Ghana

To the children of Haiti, we say to you sorry for the unfavourable event that has shuttered many dreams.  We hope and pray vehemently that the almighty God will strengthen and comfort you and may he grant you the strength to rebuild your country.

Long live the children of Haiti. Long live Haiti.

Quebec High School, Canada

Every time someone has hope, the more likely you are to succeed.   Our class is sending hope.

Ba Xian Middle School, Chong Qing, China

We feel very sorry for the earthquake in Haiti.   We'd like to communicate with them very much and we'd like to try our best to help them .

We live in Chong Qing in Sichuan province.  Since the earthquake in Sichuan in 2008, we have experienced much misery and suffered a lot, so we can understand how people in Haiti are now suffering.

We want to say to them: there are some things like earthquakes that we can't control and at this time , you need to be strong and unite to get through the hard time.

Ilfracombe Arts College, UK

We really hope that you can begin to build new homes, schools and hospitals as soon as possible.

We will work hard to make sure you get the aid that you need to do this by running charity events at school.

We hope that one day you can begin to move on from what has happened and look forward to the bright future that your education will bring.  We are thinking of you!

How did they do that?

BBC World service reporters for The World Today are sharing messages and questions schools around the world with at a school in Haiti. 

UNICEF are supporting this event which will be with an temporary 'school in a box' school.

You can listen to the The World Today online.  We will also post answers here at World Class.

Some schools sending in questions are working with the online global schools site, Rafi.ki.

Join BBC World Class and our partners will help your school twin.
 
Photo copyright UNICEF used with permission.

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