*Every Cloud has a Purple Lining*

I have been lucky enough to participate in some fantastic programmes in the last week.  The ability to network out here is amazing.  Everybody is so welcoming and there is genuinely not enough hours in the day to attend every invite. 

One of the main highlights was UTH Special Education School visit.  Nathan (a good friend and a St Andrews volunteer who is now living with us) invited me and some of the students to the school.  We were expecting to take a P.E and English class but it happened to be an important ceremony that day with the British High Commission there handing over new funds!  It was an absolute pleasure to meet some of the charismatic, friendly and confident children.  One who quickly became a favourite was little ‘John Wayne’ who is a young boy with Downs Syndrome.  He was SO happy and cute and was very engaging…constant tickles were the order of the day for him!  The morning was a great way to dismiss the common and pessimistic view that aid and charitable donations do not really help people in third world countries.  What I witnessed there was an unequivocal indication that the hard work of fundraisers and donations of aid do change lives.  It is indeed hard to draw on any criticisms from the school itself.  Thought should be given though to the thousands of handicapped children who are not fortunate enough to attend such a wonderful school and therefore miss out on the vital support and education which stimulates these children’s minds so much.

Darren, a fellow Northumbria student, held a sensory workshop at his placement this week which can only be described as extremely messy fun!  He brought along cans of shaving foam and the kids and I basically had to squirt it all over the class room and ourselves!!  Enjoyable does not adequately describe the vibe in a room full of children with learning disabilities, students and teachers all covered in the stuff laughing and messing around! 

Yesterday I observed a ‘Life Skills’ class held by Pearson, who is one of the peer leaders for the NGO I’m working with.  It was a truly inspiring experience.  The aim was to discuss ‘self awareness’ and encourage the girls to live their lives in an honest and honourable manner.   Pearson explored issues such as how they could be confident, successful, peaceful, curious, strong, inspirational, structured, economical and talented.  I took detailed notes so at my next interview I can articulately and creatively market myself!  It was heartening to observe such important issues being discussed.  This is a clear example about what I have discussed previously regarding the importance of education on responsibility and development.  Pearson’s lesson was an outstanding example of how children can be inspired to live a better life for themselves.  We have a lot to learn from this type of education.  Children in the UK could benefit greatly from such life skills which would allow them to develop with a clearer goal and focus into future life.

This also reminds me of another positive educational tool I have witnessed this week.  I was reading a Zambian text book for children aged around 14 years old and was pleasantly surprised by the contents page!  The topics discussed were; a brief Zambian history, their constitution, government format, how to manage yourself economically and so on.  I have personally always stated that we in the UK are not educated enough on politics and economics which thus leads us into adulthood unequipped to deal with everyday life and ignorant to the politics of our world.  It is just a shame that the children in Zambia do not have as many opportunities as us when they leave school so they can put into practice some of the practical information they have learned.  Hopefully, with education such as that which Pearson provides, the next generation will be empowered to lead their country into a prosperous, democratic and sustainable society.