BLC

Britt’s Learning Center

Giving the poorest of the poor, especially girls, a better chance to learn iswhat Britt’s Learning Center (BLC) hopes to achieve. BLC was established in March 2009 at ACED’s office in Bavel.   

Tuomas teaching at BLC

BLC provides English teaching to poor children who can not afford to go to private schools. There are currently about 50-60 students, divided into two classes. One class, consisting of mostly of younger children, is taught by Mr. Utdom, and other class, consisting of high-school aged children (15-18), by teacher Chinda and by Tuomas, volunteer from Finland (from June to August 2010.)

Students meet once a day, 5 days a week, and usually about 25-30 students attend the classes. The number of students, however, is greatly decreased if there is heavy rain, as it makes travelling hard for the children (the roads here are terrible).  The classes last for an hour, and they involve grammar, vocabulary and speaking practices.

Future plans

BLC is to include there dormitory-style housing for poor children who receive scholarships from ACED. As often these children have problems while they live with their parents (scholarships needs to be shared between whole families, families are poor and need the children to work, parents have alcohol problems and there might be also domestic violence involved). The housing in the BLC would make it possible for them to go to school.

Background

ACED was able to set up BLC in March 2009 thanks to Britt-Mari Bjorklund of Finland, who was previously a volunteer with ACED and is now a Member of the ACED Board of Directors. ACED takes pride in naming the center after her. Thorsten Meyer, a volunteer from Germany, was also among the founders of BLC, teaching English at BLC and providing for teaching equipment.

Help wanted

International volunteers who want to help teaching English and/or Computer skills at BLC are very welcome to join. Donations are also greatly appreciated.