Germaine Cheong, a Chemistry teacher with Hua Yi Secondary School, was the second Singapore International Foundation (SIF) in-field volunteer assigned to Bhutan W.I.R.ED - a three-year project to help Bhutan’s education system employ Information Technology for learning and teaching.

During her 10-month stint - co-funded by SIF and Singapore’s Temasek Foundation - Germaine worked with five schools in Bhutan to enhance training for their teachers, with the objective of integrating IT into their classroom curriculum. She returned to Singapore in December 2010.

How did you go from teacher to volunteer?

I thought my dreams of volunteering for a cause I strongly believed in would finally materialise when I chanced upon SIF and its volunteering projects in a magazine article many years ago.

As I delved more into SIF’s activities, I stumbled upon the Bhutan W.I.R.E.D project, which was looking to recruit its second volunteer for the next phase of its project. And the requirements of this project required my teaching skills - it was perfect!

What is your role in Bhutan W.I.R.ED?

My role was to provide guidance and assistance to 25 selected teachers from five pilot-project schools in the crafting, development and implementation of pedagogy-driven and ICT-infused lesson plans, as well as their School ICT Plan.

I was also the facilitator for training workshops for the 25 project teachers, conducted by visiting Singaporean lecturers and trainers from the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education.

Waht was a typical day or week for you?

Working with the teachers from the five schools located in different areas - meant I had to travel a lot around Bhutan.

Traveling to each school took about a half-day’s journey by bus and my visits usually last a week per school.

The days would involve discussions and meetings that explore the actual crafting, development and implementation of their lesson plans.

Thereafter, we would conduct lesson observations, followed by post-lesson reflections to fully complete each cycle.

How would you describe living in Bhutan?

Those weekly bus rides became something I looked forward to at the beginning of each week - it marked the start of a new adventure and I inevitably ended up with new experiences and stories to share.

I was told that traveling on a local bus is quite an achievement. Apparently even some of the Bhutanese teachers have never traveled on the local buses!

Since I stay with the project teachers during the weekly school visit, it’s as close to a home-stay experience as one gets.

Best of all, I get to experience the true Bhutanese way of living with not one, but five families!

Advice for aspiring volunteers?

Don’t rush into volunteering for a project just for the sake of volunteering. With the Bhutan W.I.R.E.D project, I felt that we were a good match as it is a project where my experiences and training could be put to good use.

I knew I could contribute most effectively and be able to make that positive difference I wanted to achieve.

As a volunteer on overseas assignments, you may encounter challenges and issues - cultural, work-related, social, etc, which may start you questioning your reasons for being there.

I found it useful at moments like those to remind myself of my initial reason for volunteering, and that really helped me stay motivated and grounded throughout the year.

* This article was first published in Singapore Magazine (Apr-Jun 2011 issue).