I'm incredibly excited to be one of six mentors selected to participate in Debate Mate's International Programme this summer in Nepal. Over the course of three weeks, our team will be working in partnership with the Samata Shiksa Niketan, colloquially known as the 'Bamboo Schools', to deliver a programme focused on communication skills, critical thinking and teamwork to more than 600 disadvantaged students. Each mentor has been asked to raise at least £1500 to contribute to travel and organisation costs and while I will also be participating in various other fundraising activities, anything you are able to donate would be a fantastic help!
Programme Details:
Debate Mate has been working in partnership with the Samata Shiksha Niketan since 2010. Since then, we have reached 6,000 students in various regions across Nepal and in 2024 we aim to continue our impact by making a lasting difference in the lives of disadvantaged students. The Bamboo Schools, set up in 2001 by Uttam Sanjel, a Nepali Social Entrepreneur, align fantastically with Debate Mate's ethos. The schools are exceptional in that they charge only 100 rupees a month (roughly £1), yet manage to provide a stable education for some of the most disadvantaged children in the country. The 3-week programme spans across three different regions of Nepal, culminating in a grand final in Kathmandu with the winners of the regional debates. During the programme we aim to work with 600 students across the 3 regions.
Through our programmes, we aim to achieve the following outcomes:
1) Enhancement of Communication Skills
● Improvement in English speaking and listening skills.
● Development of key soft skills: resilience, teamwork, leadership, critical and creative thinking, empathy, and core confidence.
2) Lasting Impact
● Establishment of ongoing debate clubs within schools.
● Returning students demonstrating continuous improvement year-on-year.
● Equipping older students with the skills to become mentors & deliver Debate Mate sessions.