Saping Medaka Family school in a primary (1st-5th) grade school and was founded by Uttam Raj Giree fifteen years ago. Uttam grew up in the village of Saping and he and his family still live there. When he was in his early 20’s, he saw a need for a school. Many children from his village were unable to attend school due to the high cost to the parents. Unlike in the USA, parents must pay for school and all related costs such as uniforms and school supplies and this makes educating their children nearly impossible.
Playing at school
One of the classrooms
On top of the high cost of schooling, many children have to walk 1-3 hours to even reach the government school, so many parents choose to keep their children home to work in the fields. In order to get to Medaka Family School, many children still walk very long distances.
The kids play ball on the rice hills every morning before school and during recess.
The kids are provided lunch at school.
I am volunteering at Medaka Family School for about a month. I am teaching English and I am having a blast. The kids are amazing and they are little sponges. They are so excited when I come to teach and so happy. You would never guess how hard some of their lives are. My teaching methods are very different than the kids and other teachers are used to. The Nepali teachers call me “the funny teacher” because we are always singing and laughing in my classes.
🙂
I incorporate art and presentations into my classes whenever possible. I barely have any supplies, so as of now art consists of drawing.(I thought I barely had supplies in Vietnam but compared to Saping, I had a plethora!) The kids in Saping were so excited to use the donated color pencils that had been sitting unused before I got there.
Art and learning
Less than half of the 4th graders. Absenteeism is a big problem.
The children are not used to the freedom to color. This little girl was having a really hard time and needed some assistance from my awesome helper, Cellygram. (Uttam’s Nephew)
I think it is so important to build self-esteem in all children and school should be fun. I taught the kids how to “high-five” and whenever they present or read in class, I have the class clap. In Nepal, it is normal to swat kids lightly when they make a mistake. I had to ask a teacher to please not do that in my class. Like in Vietnam, the Nepali teaching style is very different than the western style. And I think I sing and dance a little more in class than most western teachers! However, the kids are learning so much and we are having a blast while we do it. I cannot wait to continue to spend time and learn from the children in Saping.
I am learning so much from the children in Saping.
Happy Kids!
If you are interested in donating to the school, Check out this link.
Raine and I have been going to weekly Toastmasters’ meeting. Something I wanted to do for over fifty years; develops ability to speak in public. After every speaker, few minutes or longer, there is applause. Applause is very validating. Good for you, Melanie. I love you xoxoxox Love Mommom
It sounds like you and Rain are having a great experience together!I agree that applause is important. xo
You are amazing Melanie!
Thank you! So are you! I am so proud to call you my sister.
Oh Melanie, I am so proud of you and so grateful that you are having this amazing experience and sharing what you have learned through your own teaching and study, with these sweet children. What courage you are showing and sharing with all of us. Hope to see you after you get home to listen to more of your stories.
Sandy Hurst
Thank you for the encouragement! I am learning so much from the children. I feel really grateful to get to know them. I would love to see you when I get home, it has been too long! XO
I really want to travel to the school and volunteer here on my next trip to Nepal. Do you have any advice or any important information to pass on? I’m a librarian here in the States, and I’m thinking of bringing some books for the kids, and also buying some Nepali children’s books when I arrive in KTM. Was bottled water or boiled water an issue? Do I need a sleeping bag, or are linens supplied? Where did you stay? Did you spend a night in Dhulikhil before you trekked to the village? And lastly, was there any way to shower or was it more of a wash your face and hair situation? I was in Nepal once before, a little less than a year ago for three weeks and I’ve been looking to come back and do something like this. I was supposed to arrive in November for a month, but due to the blockade, my friends there asked me to wait. (that was the height of it and everything was very difficult). I’m aiming for April, May or June now.
Thanks!
Cat
Hi Cat, Thanks for reading! I’ll send you an email and also pass along some contact info 🙂
Thank You!!!