TerraKids recently pioneered a first of its kind Teacher Training Workshop in Champasak, a province in southern Laos. The workshop which was held on the 30th & 31st of July, 2024 was aptly titled ‘Training Teachers to Promote the Wellbeing of Neglected Children’. Around 50 teachers from different schools in Pakse gathered at ‘Ban Thong Primary School’ which proved to be a well equipped and convenient venue for the workshop.
Ms. Jood, the TerraKids team manager said, “I have been involved with more than 200 schools spread across Attapue, Sekong, Salavan and Champasak provinces but never before have we had an opportunity to conduct training for teachers in Pakse”. Ms. Jood has been working with TerraClear since 2018.
The workshop commenced with each teacher receiving a welcome packet at registration. Every packet contained a file folder, name badge, TerraClear lanyard, pen, greeting card, and a booklet containing worksheets for all sessions. After a brief team introduction and a warm welcome by Ms. Jood, Ms. Ern Dee kick-started Day 1 of the workshop with an ice-breaker that proved to be a great start for the teachers. Ms. Ern Dee, who conducts community youth activities when she’s not busy with TerraKids is, in her manager’s words, “The best when it comes to Ice-breakers, energizers, and games.”
The sessions included valuable topics like, ‘Yes, I am a good Teacher’, ‘Children at Risk’, ‘The 5 senses and Effective Communication’, ‘Good Touch Bad Touch’, ‘Child Rights’, ‘Child Safeguarding and Cell Phones-A blessing or a curse?’ Every Session was packed with energizers, audio-visuals, testimonies from the team, group discussions, worksheets, and feedback from the teachers. “There wasn’t a boring moment during the workshop and I found myself always on my feet, trying to capture all the excitement in pictures!” said Ms. Jemimah Lobo, photographer for the event.
When the teachers were not in session, they were either enjoying delicious cake and coffee or catching up with fellow teachers over lunch. “We wanted each teacher to feel special and encouraged,” said Ms. Tanya Lobo, one of the 5 team members who assists the team with event planning. “A day in Laos is incomplete without the traditional ‘Kin Som’ (Sour fruits served with spicy dips) and we included that in our menu too!” she said with a smile.
When asked about their favourite session, a majority of teachers vouched for ‘The 5 senses and Effective Communication’, mentioning that they never considered how destructive the 5 senses could be when used irresponsibly. Many others discussed the presentation of ‘Children at Risk’ as being an eye-opener and took a copy of it to spread awareness in their sphere of work.
In attendance for all 7 sessions was the Deputy Director of Education for Champasak, Honourable Ms. VunSi Keobunmi, who has been a teacher for the past 32 years and a veteran in the field of education.“This training has been wonderfully unique and will definitely help us teachers in our mission” she asserted in her final address to the teachers before handing them each a Certificate of completion.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with TerraKids for the past few years and I am very grateful for their service to our teachers and students,” said Ms. Kounavong who is a Chief Officer at the Education Department of the Pathoumphone District, Champasak. I am always excited to be a part of their programs because they are passionate about their mission,” she explained to the teachers during a session.
“We believe that all children have a right to clean drinking water,” said Ms. Looney, who is a part of the TerraKids team. “Through generous donors and support from TerraClear, we are able to donate water filters to numerous schools to encourage the children against drinking from contaminated sources of water” she explained.
In families where both parents need to work or hold multiple jobs, children can face challenging or dangerous circumstances. In extreme cases, some children are encouraged to drop out of school to help contribute to the family’s income, some even being sent to neighbouring countries to find work where wages are higher.
In families where both parents need to work or hold multiple jobs, children can face challenging or dangerous circumstances. In extreme cases, some children are even encouraged to drop out of school to help contribute to the family’s income, with some even being sent to neighbouring countries to find work.
As part of their mission and vision, TerraKids offers free training to schools that use the TerraClear water filters.” Our training primarily focuses on the wellbeing of children in Laos and covers a range of topics that are very relevant today” said Ms. Jood.“ To ensure a brighter future, we must not neglect our children. The young spend many hours in school. That is why I believe the Teacher holds the key!” she shared.
TerraClear, founded in 2010, serves as an active partner in TerraKids activities. They are producers of Ceramic Water Purifiers in Laos and use local resources and employees to bring safe drinking water to communities across the country. TerraClear has produced and sold over 150,000 filters since its conception and is a registered Carbon Project with the Gold Standard.
TerraKids is sponsored by partner organisations and generous donors all over the world. To make a donation to school programs, water filters for classrooms, or teacher training, visit our Donation Page and become a part of the solution today!
