Click here for more information on summer 2019.
Every summer we take a group of volunteers to Shillong to work in Providence School. Our volunteers get involved in all aspects of life at the school. They teach English, run reading circles and take the students on school outings. Those who are qualified teachers run inservice training for the teachers. They share new ideas and teaching methodologies and learn those used by the Indian teachers as well.
Our volunteers also learn a lot from the students. Every morning, the students of Providence School learn trades such as Cooking and Carpentry. The volunteers learn these skills from the students. Other trade subjects include Confectionery, Beauty Care, Electical Work, Paper and Card Making and Computers.
A typical day for a volunteer involves:
8.30 – 10.00 : Trades. Volunteer learns from their group of students while practising oral English with them.
10.00 – 10.20 : Small Break
10.30 – 10.50 : Reading circle with Class 2
10.55 – 10.25 : Being a teacher’s assistant with Kindergarten
10.30 – 11.55 : English class with Class 4
12.00 – 12.45 – Lunch
12.45 – 1.30 : English class with Class 7
1.35 – 2.15 : Computers with Class 8
2.30 End of school day.
After school we get involved with the extra curricular activities, depending on the interests of the volunteers. These include football, dancing, art and we visit the students at the karate class (that is funded by the school).
Our main afterschool activity is walking home with the students. It’s during these walks that we really get to know the students. They open up about their lives and ask us questions about ours. We get to go home, meet the families and see how our students live. It can be difficult, but most agree it is an incredible opportunity to get to know a different way of life, and to ultimately realise how similar we all are.
Volunteers visiting the students at home.
In the evenings we plan for the next day, discuss the day’s events and discuss some development topics that are relevant to our trip. Development Education is a very important part of our trips. We want people to return home more educated on the underlying causes of inequality and poverty.
On the weekends we bring students on trips to local parks and waterfalls. They love being our tour guides and they do it very well!
If this sounds interesting to you feel free to use our Contact Form to get in touch! We’ll give you all the information on upcoming trips and fundraising targets.