Catriona is an experienced educational leader, having been Principal in two Australian Christian schools for a total of 20 years. She has lived, worked, and volunteered in many parts of the world including Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Botswana, Uganda, Pakistan, and Nepal. She is passionate about developing Christian teachers and leaders and is currently studying Professional Supervision.
I’m a retired schoolie with varied experiences and just want to encourage anyone who has LSL or is retired, that God can use your gifts, all the skills and experiences you have amassed over the years.
I find that many people (young and old) think they need to be experts or feel that they don’t know enough to go overseas to a developing country and share, but I assure you, you do!
It’s amazing how God works in and through you to bless others, especially when you don’t have the specific skills you think you need. God is a creative God and lights our imaginations to use us in amazing ways. All we have to do is PRAY and ask God for His help, guidance and wisdom. Sometimes that materializes in phoning a friend back in Australia who could help or sometimes ideas come through Google and the ideas God gives us.
My husband and I are currently in Nepal, volunteering at a school. My husband is a retired civil engineer (roads) and finds himself being asked to draw up plans to add two new classrooms on top of a toilet block. He is not a structural engineer, yet using the drawing skills he has gained, he’s working on a plan.
One of the daily activities I do is train the six teachers in a variety of topics from Christian education, basic classroom practice and ideas. One teacher can’t speak any English and most have no training (except finishing school), except for the principal who has a Masters Degree in Education.
While in Kathmandu we bought 244 readers in English and Nepali for the school. So, our first PD session was spent looking at the different books, how to treat them and giving examples of lessons using the books. One of the main things in developing countries is that children are mainly taught just facts and by rote. As in Australia, we need to teach for understanding, so as teachers we need to keep asking students questions about what they read and concepts they are learning. Question, question, question.
I just love it- although often hard work, how blessed you are in volunteering. I am continually amazed at how God uses me when I give myself to Him; how He works in me and through me to bless others.
It’s just about making yourself available to God and then He enables you for the task/s ahead.
