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The Educational Challenge of
2007
May 27th
– 31st
Taking up the
Challenge
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At midnight on Sunday, May 27th,
2007, fourteen professional educators arrived at Cihei for the start
of the Smiles Foundation’s first Educational Challenge. A 7.30
breakfast on the Monday morning marked the beginning of three full
days of intensely focused activity, which included;
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Planned sessions of personal/professional
dialogue with Kevin, myself - and with our
two directors and their staffs.
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Programmed visits to the Nursery, School and
Gypsy Village, including family homes.
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The opportunity to teach a planned activity to
two class groups in the new school.
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An invitation to consider and engage with
opportunities for ‘twinning’/’partnership’ on
an international basis.
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A wonderful presentation by the children of
Tileagd Community School.
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As an experienced educationalist, I have rarely
seen such excitement in a group of professionals from the UK, USA and,
of course, Romania. Throughout the three days there was an almost
tangible sense of anticipation, expectation, mutual support and shared
vision. The discussions were open, positive and purposeful, providing
a forum for genuine professional debate. The shared sense of purpose,
passion and commitment in both the Nursery and the School was striking
- and there was a clear ethos of ownership and pride in what was/is
happening.
Visits to the Gypsy Village and the children’s homes offered a very
genuine insight into why we are here and where the children are coming
from. As one of our visiting team commented, ‘This is the reality.’ It
is against this back cloth of disadvantage that the children have made
so much progress in every aspect of their personal development -
physical, intellectual, social, emotional, moral and spiritual. |
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The teaching sessions were inspirational,
generating interest, excitement, and great enjoyment. Children and
adults had a lot of fun playing ‘Kwik Cricket’, measuring and making,
creating ‘dream catchers,’ making balloon sculptures, playing balloon
volley ball and enjoying all kinds of opportunities for creative play.
The children and teachers loved it all - and our Romanian staff were
both encouraged and challenged by what proved to be an inspirational
experience. I am very impressed with the way in which both staff and
visitors rose to the Challenge.
It has been my privilege to be involved in a truly memorable event,
which has clearly had a huge effect on all those involved, and which
has generated all kinds of creative ideas with regard to teaching and
learning, ‘twinning’ and ‘partnership.’ The 2007 Educational
Challenge’ has had a major impact on the staff and children - and on
our team of visitors.
Its influence will be felt for a long time to come.
Perhaps you would like to join us on next year’s Challenge, which
begins on May 25th. 2008?!
Stephen
Stephen Woodward
Educational Adviser to the Smiles Foundation.
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Here are just a
few of the comments from the Team:
“We
were enabled to push back the boundaries, to forge links and make
friends.”
“The spark was ignited, the flame re-kindled. I
feel we have been empowered.”
“The kids were fantastic!”
“I
have been challenged physically, professionally and emotionally many
times over the past few days.”
“Clearly the impact on me personally and
professionally has been immense.”
“An amazing time full of wishes and
dreams: I have learned so much about passion, vision and the journey
made by this inspirational school.”
“The Challenge has renewed my faith in kindness, selflessness and hope
for a better future for the community here.”
“Somehow your presence here has given us
hope and encouragement for the future.”
Doamna Clara,
Director of Tileagd Community School
“Fantastic experience: I now feel very humble …
I would love to come back again.”
“Children are our future. Show them love and let it grow.”
“The Educational Challenge gave us a great
insight into the work of the Smiles Foundation.”
“This experience has renewed my belief
that having vision is the most powerful tool in influencing people’s
lives. It is only by having Kevin and Stephen committed to such vision
that these children have been given so much to enable them to make
real choices in their own lives and consequently to impact on their
children and their children’s children.”
“I feel privileged and honoured to have been
part of a ‘bigger’ team, with colleagues from Romania, the USA and the
UK. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful opportunity. The
experience will live me forever.”
“I
travelled on an aeroplane,
I travelled on a bus,
I travelled to a gypsy camp,
Saw people just like us” |
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