“Every drop of water fills our pond” – Bina Basnet
Gabe, Sage, and Myles have been placed at Orchid Garden
Nepal. Gabe is in the 3-year-old classroom, Sage is working with the
4-year-olds, and Myles is working on a graduate research pilot study as part of
his anthropology program. All three students have been wonderfully embraced by
the children and teachers, particularly Sunita, Kalpana, and Shrmila. After an in-depth
conversation with director Bina Basnet, they came to realize that Orchid Garden
is more than just a school. It is a home, family, safe haven, support system,
parental outreach network, and gives underrepresented children of Kathmandu an
opportunity to excel.
Gabe has been put in a position to not only teach children,
but also help mentor a new teacher in building classroom strategies and
management. It has been an unexpected challenge that is helping her to grow as
an educator. Aside from making daily routines, Gabe has helped add a variety of
fun body movements to familiar instructional techniques (i.e. wiggly toes!).
Sage has been placed with an experienced teacher who was
open to new ways of teaching with limited resources. One of these new methods
was a beading activity where the kids were not only able to make and keep
bracelets, but also develop fine motor skills, pattern concepts, and new
vocabulary. It was a meaningful experience for the kids because they had the
chance to create and keep something of their own, and the overwhelming response
from the children was incredibly moving to Sage.
Myles is looking at cultural transmission of practices
between children and teachers. He is a source of joy on the playground, and the
kids love using him as impromptu monkey bars.
Orchid Garden has stolen the hearts of Gabe, Sage, and
Myles. They cannot wait to go to the school every single day!
Sage helping the children in her class string and sort their beads.
Making Legos!
Popular board game "Ludo"
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