My first two weeks as a VIN volunteer
Where to begin? Some many things would be to say to describe this enriching journey and experience. Since it is my first time as a volunteer, I would like to begin by saying that choosing the Association/Ngo VIN appears to be judicious idea. Why is that? After spending few days in Katmandu and meeting numerous other foreign travelers, a large part also being volunteers, I realized that VIN staff and it’s executive director Bhupendra Ghimire have a strong philosophy and vision sustaining their project compared to some other NGOs. You feel rapidly involved in their mission and their enthusiasm makes me want to take part of it in the best way that I can.
I am a volunteer in Panchmane, Jitpur in one of their early childhood center as part of the child program. I attend classes six days a week in order to help the two teachers (Bimala and Sarita, two young women of 21 and 20 years old. The first one being 7 month pregnant) for the lesson and various activities. Their ECD welcomes 18 children from 4 to 9 years old, the nearest school being at one hour and a half walking from their home and some children being also late for the national school program.
The teaching and learning conditions are reduced to the minimum.Infact, the current school is a building over a century old ,with little light, few furniture’s, (two blackboards, four bench, three little tables and few mats and cushions for the younger one to play on) and little educational materials. More over, being no windows, the material is often damaged by metrological events or even robbed.Futhermore every child is at a very different level of development and education which makes it very difficult to establish a homogeneous educational plan. All this to say and that as the 1st volunteer being placed in this ECD, there is lot to do and help with, I feel welcomed and useful for both teachers and children. The challenge is huge but truly motivating.
After ten days the ECD,I realized that it is not possible to change the ways ofdoing and teachingradically in only a few weeks as habits are deeply rooted: Nepalese concept of time, teaching methods which gave few initiatives for children to think and create by themselves. However I think my presence is beneficial, even if not being teacher myself, and that I can help by trying to implement new activities, or giving ideas and advices on a daily basis. Besides, introducing new activities and new teaching on English and math’s lessonsis not obvious since I do not speak Nepali (even though I progress everyday and begin to be able to be understood by the pupils). Nevertheless the children are not only patient with me but enthusiastic and happy that we spend time together. It is incredible how you can share with the children despite not speaking the same language, which is true for both the youngest and the oldest ones. Before coming here, this language difference did not scared me and I was right about this ,they are truly amazing loving and I m getting attached to them!
