Chandni Bedhesi (past volunteer) – Primary/Intermediate Teacher Trainer, Kabwe in Zambia

Before taking up her assignment in August 2009, Chandni was a Special Education Advisor at the Ministry of Education in Otahuhu, Auckland.

What Chandni did in Zambia

Chandni is working at Sables drop in centre in Kabwe that offers educational opportunities for vulnerable children mainly 8-16 years who are living on the street so they can integrate into formal education. She is working with her Zambian counterpart to set up a curriculum and timetable for the centre, preparing lessons and training other teachers.

Making a positive impact

One of Chandni’s most satisfying aspects of her role was to see some of the children she taught, successfully transition into school.  She enjoyed preparing interesting lessons for the children and seeing them genuinely enjoy the learning experience. Chandni trained teachers from other centres to help provide a more child-centred learning environment and saw teachers  develop and implement new and innovative strategies in the classroom.

While there, 80 children transitioned to school. In order to make that transition those children had to learn to read. They were also fed breakfast by 8 am every morning when previously it had always been late (between 10.30-11.00).  A highlight for Chandni was the library she created using books sent by Irish donors that had been stored away unopened.  As she says, “It became a highlight for me sitting in the library encouraging the children to read.”

Chandni’s highlights

“The best part of my work is always when children are successfully transitioned into regular school. It has been a pleasure to teach the children at Sables and share my skills with others who are so willing to learn.”

What Zambia has taught Chandni

“Patience – be prepared to wait for hours sometimes for things to happen.”

“Change is difficult especially if you have never experienced anything different from your current situation.”