Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Day 3: Learning Lives Forever

Today we got the opportunity to tour Little Angels School, and visit the classrooms.  It was a lot of fun to see these kids, and see this great facility that has been provided for them.  As we met with their principal we learned about the various areas that these kids come from, many have traveled from rural parts of Nepal where schools are not provided solely to obtain an education.  Also we learned about their curriculum and how nearly all students who attend here graduate and go on to productive careers, only a few leave early to attend trade schools. Several continue on to higher education usually abroad in Europe, or America.  It is amazing to see the change an education can make for the people living here, the things these kids learn in schools like this are what is helping Nepal to improve into a more developed nation.  This little nation is sandwiched between two of the biggest economies in the world (India and China) and there are high hopes here that Nepal can join those nations, or at least reap the benefits of their success.  Those sorts of changes begin with education, one of the most impressive things about this school is that they teach bilingually.  All the children at least have a basic knowledge of English, although some are either to shy or not confident enough to use it.  All of them want to practice speaking with us, and are very proud of themselves when their English is clearly understood.
It has been amazing spending time with these kids, they are so full of joy, and hope.  This facility gives them a family and a home, which several of them did not have prior to coming here, but most of all it gives them knowledge and that is what will in the long run be the most valuable to them in the future.  When may kids in the States may say their favorite subject is gym, recess, or lunch, when i asked these kids it was Science, Nepali, and Math.  If you wonder why the U.S. seems to be getting passed by all these other nations i think you can look at the enthusiasm that our kids have towards education.  The kids here love it, and realize the great privilege they have in being given an education, if all of our children in the U.S. understood how lucky they are to be receiving an education and education also and were as eager to learn perhaps we would be back on top when it comes to our ranking in global education.  Lastly i found myself very grateful for all the great schools i have attended from Kindergarten now up to Grad school, and the great educators that instilled knowledge in me making it possible for me to be where i am now.  Southern Utah University's motto is "Learning Lives Forever", and i am beginning to truly understand the truthfulness of that statement.  Wherever you obtain knowledge whether it be Harvard, or Little Angels, what remains constantly true is that education will change your life, and provide opportunities for your future.  So readers be grateful for your education and realize like these kids here have realized that it is such a privilege to have.  You can never truly put a price tag on a good education, and no matter what happens the things you learn will be with you forever.

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