Entry 10 Birkdale School

Thursday, 25 March 2010

Birkdale school provided financial support to Peace Garden from 10 years ago. The current site raised from a paddy field to a three floors school. From 1 classroom to 13 classrooms and 1 science lab. From no hygienic facilities to tiled toilet with running water. The bi-annual medical check up by british doctors and dentist was really beneficial for the well being of the kids.

Anyway, the principle ordered a Royal welcome for Birkdale. So we lined the road to the school with kids. The atmosphere erupted when the Birkdale crew finally arrived. It was pretty surreal. As I high-fived every kid on my way back up to the school. The party started. There were traditional dances etc, the school anthem (with encore).

Then there was a dude called Keith. He met Arjun 10 years ago and Arjun told him that he wanted to build a school on his paddy field. The what happened next as they say were history. This guy was revered. There was another guy key to the whole thing. He kept things ticking in the background. He was the Tycoon.

The Birkdale crew took over from the local teachers, and including mine when I realised my class wasn’t as cool as theirs. Let’s be honest, the kids have plenty of time for maths practice, so they should do something different. I did however tried to teach them origami and drawing in perspective. I was ambitious. In the end, we just played football. First there was a riot and eventually there were some sort of organised games. Half of my class was happy now. I failed to get in touch with my feminine side to think of ‘fun’ things for the girls to do.  umm Maths practice? Any ideas? Hence I merged the girls with another class taught by a proper teacher. What an amateur…..

They were teaching for 4 days. To be honest, the difference made to the Birkdale crew is probably bigger than to the education of the kids. However the Birkdale crew were able to appreciate the money raised by themselves actually become something you can touch and see in Nepal. My old school was prolific in charity events but at the end of each year a larger sum of money is handed over to some charities. Little is known what the money was used for and who benefited. The Birkdale crew were able to meet and greet everyone who’s education have improved as a direct result of their hard work. I was clearly impressed by that hence I had to do a good job.