Monday, February 16, 2015

January 2015 updates:Basic Montessori Training at Mae Ra Moe Refugee Camp.


Happy belated new year! We are glad to welcome back all our readers. The year began with an exciting breath taking trip to Mae sarian District and further to the Mae Ra Moe refugee camp with a mission to provide basic Montessori training to the Karen Women Organization (KWO) pre-school teachers at the camp. On our way we were greeted with scenic sites, curvy roads, mountains, rivers and bridges etc. After our long bumpy and dusty journey we finally arrived at the camp security where we were advised to register our names before allowed to proceed.

Mae Ra Moe refugee camp journey

At the camp 















Next we ventured out to explore the camp and met with our translator who showed us various pre- schools at the camp.  We visited many rooms serving as classrooms though our attention was drawn to the largest KWO nursery classroom with over 150 children. The children had just finished having their lunch and were prepared for a 3 hour afternoon nap. At this time we had an opportunity to talk with 11 teachers who were busy watching after the children and we quickly realized the teachers needed skills to maintain a calm and peaceful classroom.
KWO nursery - nap time!
The following day we gathered together at one of the KWO classrooms which appeared to be well organized with a number of Montessori materials made and acquired by Paw Gay Htoo (KWO Education Manager) who had earlier attended one of the basic Montessori trainings in Chiang rai. Paw seemed quite passionate on the Montessori education approach and she has been keen to see the teachers understood and accept that each child is special, unique individual and beautiful gift entrusted into their care
Soon we began the training which was attended by 30 Karen state teachers. We focused on the Montessori classroom management, observation, lesson planning and record keeping, materials presentation and making among other interesting topics as requested earlier by the teachers.
Throughout the entire training period the teachers remained enthusiastic, asking questions and also fully participated in all activities.

Participants listening keenly -Lecture time 





Hands on material - Teachers practicing


More practice with  tissue rolls spindle material
























We believe the training will ideally help the teachers and community members discover meaningful quality education and more importantly, our experience at the Moe Ra Moe refugee camp showed that the basics of the Montessori method works even in a refugee camp without the technical Montessori materials.

Nevertheless, our ultimate goal is that each child attending the Moe Ra Moe refugee camp pre-schools develops self-direction and acceptance, independence, attains interest and joy of learning and a sense of membership feeling in a social group and community at large.
Thanks to KLDF Montessori team. We made these materials through their guidance!