Three weeks teaching in Barharwa
We, John and Elizabeth Hurfurt from the Ashbourne Churches Together - Patna Partnership, had visited Barharwa in 2006 and 2007 but only stayed for a few hours. In 2009 we decided to spend three weeks at St. Thomas’s mixed English medium school there. We were warmly welcomed by both staff and pupils. John, a retired maths teacher, taught the older pupils for most of his time and Elizabeth, a retired Biology teacher, taught Biology and Environmental Studies. We also helped with the teaching of English. There are also two Hindi medium girls schools together with hostels on the site. Despite language difficulties the girls came to talk to us and told us about themselves and their families. We had a wonderful time there and felt part of their community. We were invited to visit the homes of both teachers and pupils.
From Barharwa we went to Taljhari where the Partnership sponsors the board and lodging of 100 girls at St. John’s school. We saw the development of the pond and vegetable garden, the new buildings for the High school and were privileged to be asked to open the new library. We then visited other schools in the Diocese which are interested in forming a link with schools in the Ashbourne area. We hope that the British Council will help to fund this link. The Partnership is looking forward to May when four people from the Patna Diocese will visit Ashbourne.
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