PROGRAMMES | LUMEN
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World Volunteer - Laos 20 SJI students collaborated with NGO World Volunteer and learnt more about the landlocked country , and the organization ’ s goals in promoting sustainability . Although the students were not physically present to experience the rustic life in Luang Prabang , they interacted with the local guide , Kor , on life in the villages and what kind of sustainability projects were in development , despite the impact of COVID-19 . They were given short yet intense historical and
cultural lessons from volunteers who have worked there for many years , including the basics of Adobe brick building . Students also collaborated on sustainability proposals that World Volunteer could consider implementing , in line with the United Nations ’ 17 Sustainability Development Goals ( SDGs ). Some of these ideas featured recycling plastic bottles for aesthetic yet useful decorations within the domestic space . Other more ambitious ideas tackled the problem water collection and drainage systems in small
households .
After the experience , our students were motivated to visit Laos after the pandemic and hopefully work towards their ideas into fruition . Ms . Therese Eggeborn , a key member of World Volunteer who coordinated the lessons from Kuala Lumpur , reflected that she “ enjoyed having lessons with the students ”, and hoped the class could come to Luang Prabang as a graduation trip soon and add in adventure activities to places like the famous Kuang Si Waterfall .
World Volunteer - Kathmandu , Nepal Biogas was a new topic for SJI students . However , the experience with NGO partner World Volunteer gave them the knowledge on how Biogas works exactly , and why it exists in Nepal . They were taught the entire process where Biogas is created , what feeds this transformation from organic waste to energy , and what happens to the runoff .
Students had to create a personal page that allowed them to reflect on themselves . By having to include Nepali words , the activity also allowed them to learn more about the language and realise that many words were pronounced similarly to English . They were also given introductory lessons to the many different cultures and ethnic groups living within 57,000 sq . miles of the country .
Learning about Kathmandu and the village was engaging especially since the local guide Dorje was there to answer any questions students had about his life as a guide and what the environment was like in Nepal .