Kindergarten Special Needs Project
Over this past year several projects have been developed at the kindergarten, including one for children with special physical and/or educational needs. We have added an extra class and are in the process of training one of our teachers to specialise in this area. This teacher has shown a lot of initiative, motivation and enthusiasm and is eager to learn and has reached the point of feeling confident at teaching the children independently with only our supervision. The news has spread by word of mouth and now we have children who have varying degrees of learning difficulties.
In the past the students have struggled with their classes, becoming discouraged and having difficulty learning and retaining information, but currently they are all working on individual goals and making positive progress. Due to our training, we are able to provide small group sessions, give individual attention and also integrate these children into regular classes. We are thrilled with how this project has progressed throughout so far and look forward to seeing our students grow and develop further this year.
Well, Well, Well….
ASET has completed ten more wells and a hygiene sanitation course in some of the poorest districts of Mazar e Sharif, providing clean drinking water to thousands. The villagers report that the wells are in constant use.
ASET helps a boy with clubfoot
Farschot came to our Kindergarten last year. He is older than most of the others and bright, but he has suffered from club foot. We heard that a doctor coming from the UK to Kabul, specialized in the operation for club foot!
We were able to use some money from a special fund to send Farschot and his mum to Kabul where his foot was operated on and six weeks later they returned to Kabul to have the wires taken out. Just then two of his brothers broke their elbow and arm. We took them to the German hospital where they both received casts! What a blessing to be able to help a family of at least 8 people living in two rooms.
Holy Trinity School, Cheltenham links up with Khaliqdad School in Afghanistan
During Global Awareness Week in May 2010, Holy Trinity C of E Primary School launched its link with Khaliqdad School in Mazar-e-Sharif in Northern Afghanistan. Dan Browne spent an afternoon in school talking to pupils about the partner school, sharing what life is like in Afghanistan and explaining the work his team is doing. School Council representatives then interviewed Dan posing questions raised by each class. Parents also had a chance to find out more about the work of ASET after school. School is joining others in raising money for Khaliqdad School. All classes now have a ‘Small change, big difference’ pot for children to put in what they want when they want. It was great to welcome Dan back into school in July. As well as admiring our display focusing on our new links, we presented him with a cheque for £175. This money was raised by our oldest pupils who organised their own sponsored kite flight and sale of hand-made goods after being touched by Dan’s first visit to school. Dan was also given pictures and letters from each class to take in person to the Afghan school when he returns there in August. This is a very exciting partnership providing superb opportunities for our pupils whilst directly benefiting children in Afghanistan. We look forward to receiving our first letters and seeing the link develop over time.
Alison Tugwell, Headteacher
Farewell to Steve and Natasha
Sadly Steve and Natasha left ASET last month. After nearly two years of devoted and hard work with us they feel it is time to move on to pastures new. Originally they only came to help out with a few projects for a year when we needed some help but have served far over and above the call of duty. We are very grateful for all they have done at ASET and although sad to see them go, want to wish them all the very best for the future.