ETHIOPIAN TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Volunteering with ANSO to teach English in Fantelle, Ethiopia was an
unforgettable experience. I had the honor of working with eager students as
well as helpful local teaching assistants to help implement a program that
assists in educating the future adults of a community of amazing people.

The three-week long teaching experience was intense and left me a better
teacher than when I arrived. The days were long and prep work took up some
evenings, however it was extremely rewarding and we noticed growth and
progress in the students over that time period. The ELBC program is fairly
young and of a grass-roots nature, therefore there is no specific curriculum
to follow. Originally, this proved a bit stressful for us teachers who are
used to following one, and then it gave way to an amazing freedom to meet
the students where they were at and center lessons on their authentic lives.
The gratitude from the Karayu people for our teaching contribution was
humbling, to say the least. The work that I do each day in Canada was
something they sought after and were very thankful for. I, in turn, am
thankful for all that they taught me, which is indeed much more that I was
able to give.


There certainly were challenges along the way, such as navigating through a
culture and language that is not my own, teaching students who are used to a
different teaching style, and lack of first-world conveniences. Yet, not
one of these challenges was ever an insurmountable problem. They were
easily solved with the help of my co-volunteer teachers, and the other
incredibly helpful and kind staff of the ELBC program. I signed up for this
experience hoping that it would challenge me in ways I was not being
challenged personally and professionally in my day-to-day life. It did, and
also rewarded me in the same way.


The English Language Boot Camp is an amazing program that is mutually
beneficial to Canadian volunteers and the Karayu people of Fantelle. To
witness the relationships that are built as well as the knowledge and
compassion that change hands during this program is nothing short of
incredible. I feel a deep connection to the people I met in the community
and am inspired by the grass-roots movement to better their community
through education. I champion ANSO's mandate and work in Ethiopia and am
grateful for the opportunity to be involved.

Lauren Price
French & Spanish teacher at the Comp.
December 3, 2013