We had the privilege of having two Australian universities participate in the Pathways Program in 2017, our volunteer program for introducing skilled people to our project sites. Pre-service teachers from La Trobe and RMIT Universities worked with orphans, pre-primary, primary and lower secondary students from the Upper Mustang region, Kaski and Gorkha Districts of Nepal.

The agreements we have signed with La Trobe and RMIT Universities has allowed us to create opportunities for professional experience in Nepal for their final year students. So far, we have provided opportunities for students and lecturers from four universities as well as a number of independent volunteers.

The Pathways Program, now in its sixth year, helps address some of the needs of local communities in Nepal while developing the professional capacities of Program participants. Over the years, we have developed a collaborative Program by working closely with leaders and professionals in Nepal to create a positive environment for volunteers, and with Universities and their students to deliver transformative educational programs for children and the community.

We placed two La Trobe and four RMIT teachers into the Shree Bal Mandir School in Gorkha to work with local teachers in delivering English lessons. Part of their brief was to also provide special tuition to children at the local orphanage after class and help boost their study and English skills as per the Nepali curriculum.

During one tuition program, the children were taken through the process of writing letters in English to their sponsors. According to the Principal, their writing skills were poor, so he made a special request for help. In response, the Australian teachers ran a letter writing workshop to help the children reflect on their daily life, what they achieved during the year, what they want to achieve, and how to express this in their letter. At the completion of the program, we were able to collect letters from all of the children for distribution to their sponsors. Sponsors were particularly excited at not only reading well constructed letters, but also seeing how skillful many of the children were at drawing.
 
 

 

 
 
The La Trobe students remained for the duration of their placement in Gorkha and the RMIT group went to the Bhumeshwor School in Astam to meet another La Trobe student already placed at this school to complete their placement. The focus was on working with local teachers to deliver the English curriculum and teach computer classes. The RMIT group also spent a short time at the Chhonup School teaching English to the Primary School Students.

The schools, teachers, and parents express their most sincere thanks to the Australian teachers for helping to create a brighter future for their children. Sincere thanks from the Logged On team goes to the Australian teachers and especially to the schools, local teachers and school management committees for their guidance and support.
 
 

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