Five Australian teacher trainers have just returned home from Thailand where they have been upgrading teaching skills among the Burmese Karen living as refugees along the Thai-Burma border.
Alwyn Neuendorf is from North Pine in Brisbane (Qld), Peter and Lynette Hester are from Taree (NSW), Neville Vidler Nowra (NSW) and Betty Murray Brisbane (Qld).
The camps have been under attack from the Burmese SLORC Government Forces and the camp where the training was to take place was largely destroyed by a SLORC attack only three weeks before they arrived. Facilities were organised in another camp.
The Karen have endured incredible suffering during their long history of oppression. They believe in education as they want to give their children opportunity for a better life. SLORC would keep them oppressed and in ignorance.
Peter Hester said: "The experience was very worthwhile for ourselves and for the teachers. The area is not just lines on the map to us anymore. For the Karens it was a light years journey in four weeks. Their curriculum is leftover from the British and is at least 40 years out of date. It was a mind expanding experience."
The Karen teachers now return to their schools to instruct colleagues in the new methods. There are more than 10,000 children in the schools and ABWAid believes each one deserves the best education possible. Even though their schools are of leaf thatch and bamboo they can now learn better as teaching methods and curriculum improve.
Tax deductible gifts can be sent to ABWAid, PO Box 122, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 to help with teachers' allowances, curriculum development and teacher training.Source: AUSTRALIAN BAPTIST WORLD AID
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