During recent school visits, it became obvious that some of the games equipment that was given out after the devastating earthquakes in 2015 wasn’t being used to its full potential.
I used to be a sports coach before flying out to Nepal, so my imagination instantly went into overdrive on how the equipment could be used to make schools a place a more attractive place to both girls and boys, as well as encourage learning.
This training will make a huge impact to many children, as the Sisters for Sisters programme managed to distribute this equipment to over 50 schools in the rural Lamjung region.
Training sessions begin (to the backdrop of hunting horns!)
I decided to host games training for Big Sisters and around 50 teachers from those schools with new equipment. I managed to hire a room in a hotel, which had a great amount of space to do demonstrations for such a big group. One downside though - there was a wedding happening in the room next door, so I had to battle the sound of local hunting horns whilst explaining bingo!
I was a little apprehensive before the training day started, as I was asking teachers to get involved in the games themselves so they understood them. Would the teachers understand the benefit this fun could have on their pupils?
Let’s just say I didn’t need to worry about teachers joining in!
What a success
I was relieved to find the whole day was filled with enthusiasm and energy from teachers and Big Sisters alike. Some of the main games that really took off were bingo, skittles and frisbee. I was absolutely delighted, as bingo and skittles will help with maths skills, and frisbee can be used to encourage girls and boys to play in teams together, as well as fostering group work.
I decided to write a little handbook of all of the different games I ran through on the training. The handbook can be referred back to by the teachers and Big Sisters in years to come, and I will be sharing it with others who didn’t make it to the training day.
Now to take it to the Little Sisters
Although the training day went really well and all teachers were extremely positive, the real mark of success is the new games actually being used.
I was delighted when the Big Sisters reported back that they’d used the new games straight away in the schools they are responsible for. My pride for these young women grows week on week. Thanks to the Sisters for Sisters programme they have become confident ambassadors for girls’ education within their communities. The cherry on the cake was finding out Big Sisters are now training up other teachers that couldn’t make the original session. Bistaari, bistaari (slowly, slowly) we are making a difference in schools for girls.
I wish I could share the sound of the girls’ laughter from this photo
I went along to Hiletaksar School to see how the new games were working out, and as always, had a very fun day! A usual school day for these children is having to sit still the whole day and listen to the teacher, so I knew instantly there had been a positive change when I turned up at break time to see a frisbee match taking place.
This maths lesson had the whole school as an audience
Skittles had also been used as a demonstration in the maths lessons, which was a very inventive way of bringing adding-up to life, with children having to shout out their grand total of skittles knocked over.
Thank you
The equipment that was donated to the schools is now being used regularly. It’s fantastic to see teachers bringing fun into lessons, and to also see girls and boys playing together at lunchtime – something I never saw when I first arrived in Nepal.
Remember it’s due to your kind support that I am able to share my ideas with the wonderful teachers in the Lamjung region in Nepal, so thank you once more, and I hope you can see the difference your gifts are making.
Best wishes,
Judith
