Anna is studying Primary School education at Leeds Met University and volunteered with PoD Volunteer during her university summer as her alternative placement section of her degree.
Philipa at the Placement and Employability Unit at Leeds Metropolitan University said that “the experience is a valuable asset to their academic progress” and ensured that PoD met their health and safety standards. Sarah, PoD Volunteer Manager in Nepal matched Anna and Rebecca to a school which suited their skills and was in need of their additional support. The PoD Charity supports the primary school with funding for school lunches and standard school stationary.
Here is Anna’s story of her time volunteering in Nepal with PoD:
“I enjoyed everything, Sarah was excellent, the school and children were amazing. The only bad bit was coming back home!
Myself and a colleague joined the child care project in Nepal for a month, to use as part of our alternative placement. As educational changes in the West seek to mimic those in the East, it was of great interest to us to spend time in an education system much different from our own. We chose PoD because of their ethical development and sustainable projects, something that was important to us as trainee teachers. PoD were there to answer any questions and queries beforehand, during and after our projects. Sarah, our project manager was insightful and professional throughout our experience; as well as being a great friend, a mine of information.
How would you describe a typical day volunteering at Prabhat primary school?
We would wake at seven and eat breakfast at eight before walking 40 minutes to our project, which was a fair trek away from Bindu’s house. We would spend an hour teaching each class, which was very challenging due to our lack of resources. We would get home from school at around half past three, shower and change then plan for the next day in nearby coffee shops. After this, we would go for tea in a restaurant then come back for bed. At the weekends, we made the most of our free time by visiting Chitwan National Park and sightseeing locally.
What did you find most rewarding?
We had children in our class from a variety of different backgrounds, which included a child prone to violent outbursts. When we took felt pens in to school, all he drew were guns. The Nepali school system works on different values and principals to the more Western one we were familiar with. We implemented some activities that we’d use with children on the Behavioural and Emotional Need scale. Towards the end of our stay, he began to draw scenes from school and nature.
What did you find most challenging?
In Nepali schools, the teachers hit children. As it is not our place to question the culture or opinions of our Nepali colleagues we found that sitting back was the most difficult part of the trip.
Were there any aspects of the placement which you would like to see improved?
As Shree Prabhat school is so far away, the school do not get the first pick of volunteers. As these are some of the most needy children, and seeing the progress they made with us in less than a month, I would love to see the school get more support and funding in the future.
What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
take all your resources with you. felt tips, glue, powder paints, anything that helps you teach. also take flip flops that you don’t mind getting left behind, the rain has no mercy.
Why did you choose PoD?
They are an ethical company, volunteering with children is something I have always wanted to do but news reports from Nepal had put me off in the past.
Would you recommend PoD to your friends? Yes”
If you could like to join one our projects as part of your university placement you can see our volunteer placement opportunities here: http://www.podvolunteer.org/what-can-you-do-and-where.html. Don't forget to cite GiveGo Travel as the place you heard of us from!
Philipa at the Placement and Employability Unit at Leeds Metropolitan University said that “the experience is a valuable asset to their academic progress” and ensured that PoD met their health and safety standards. Sarah, PoD Volunteer Manager in Nepal matched Anna and Rebecca to a school which suited their skills and was in need of their additional support. The PoD Charity supports the primary school with funding for school lunches and standard school stationary.
Here is Anna’s story of her time volunteering in Nepal with PoD:
“I enjoyed everything, Sarah was excellent, the school and children were amazing. The only bad bit was coming back home!
Myself and a colleague joined the child care project in Nepal for a month, to use as part of our alternative placement. As educational changes in the West seek to mimic those in the East, it was of great interest to us to spend time in an education system much different from our own. We chose PoD because of their ethical development and sustainable projects, something that was important to us as trainee teachers. PoD were there to answer any questions and queries beforehand, during and after our projects. Sarah, our project manager was insightful and professional throughout our experience; as well as being a great friend, a mine of information.
How would you describe a typical day volunteering at Prabhat primary school?
We would wake at seven and eat breakfast at eight before walking 40 minutes to our project, which was a fair trek away from Bindu’s house. We would spend an hour teaching each class, which was very challenging due to our lack of resources. We would get home from school at around half past three, shower and change then plan for the next day in nearby coffee shops. After this, we would go for tea in a restaurant then come back for bed. At the weekends, we made the most of our free time by visiting Chitwan National Park and sightseeing locally.
What did you find most rewarding?
We had children in our class from a variety of different backgrounds, which included a child prone to violent outbursts. When we took felt pens in to school, all he drew were guns. The Nepali school system works on different values and principals to the more Western one we were familiar with. We implemented some activities that we’d use with children on the Behavioural and Emotional Need scale. Towards the end of our stay, he began to draw scenes from school and nature.
What did you find most challenging?
In Nepali schools, the teachers hit children. As it is not our place to question the culture or opinions of our Nepali colleagues we found that sitting back was the most difficult part of the trip.
Were there any aspects of the placement which you would like to see improved?
As Shree Prabhat school is so far away, the school do not get the first pick of volunteers. As these are some of the most needy children, and seeing the progress they made with us in less than a month, I would love to see the school get more support and funding in the future.
What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
take all your resources with you. felt tips, glue, powder paints, anything that helps you teach. also take flip flops that you don’t mind getting left behind, the rain has no mercy.
Why did you choose PoD?
They are an ethical company, volunteering with children is something I have always wanted to do but news reports from Nepal had put me off in the past.
Would you recommend PoD to your friends? Yes”
If you could like to join one our projects as part of your university placement you can see our volunteer placement opportunities here: http://www.podvolunteer.org/what-can-you-do-and-where.html. Don't forget to cite GiveGo Travel as the place you heard of us from!