After my first two weeks of discovery and planning it became clear that there was a huge opportunity to develop the English language function within the foundation. What was missing however was someone to help define the opportunity and get things started.  I approached Mr Gunasekera with some of my ideas and suggested that perhaps I could return to continue to develop the function and capabilities further.  The response to my proposal was very positively received and with the help of key members of the foundation team I began to refine some of my ideas.

We agreed on a set of 9 objectives for a 12 month placement beginning in October. One of the most important objectives was to find local leadership to continue leading the program to ensure its sustainability after I left.

My placement would continue to be a volunteer position so I also began the process of putting together a proposal for personal sponsorship to cover my living expenses during the 12 months together with a list of potential sponsors.

Placement objectives:

1. Create a unified English language function within the foundation.
2. Establish new English language programmes to run concurrently with existing training:

1. Diving Training
2. Women’s Empowerment
3. Technology

3. Establish new English language programmes for staff of the foundation.
4. Deliver an additional 30 hours of English language instruction per week; an increase of 90% on current levels.
5. Introduce latest teaching methodologies through monthly teacher training.
6. Create succession plan to enable future local leadership of English language function.
7. Develop volunteer guidelines and requirements.
8. Implement measurement and success metrics to monitor performance of function.
9. Implement bi-monthly reporting to sponsors, founder, board and other key stakeholders.

So the adventure in teaching and travel continues. I return to London later in the summer where I have accepted a contract as an EFL teacher at St Giles International. In October I return to the Foundation of Goodness as ‘Head of English Language and English Programme Development’. If anyone would like to find out more about the foundation or are interested in potentially sponsoring my placement please do get in touch.

That’s it for today, it’s been a mammoth day on the blog and I’m now off for a swim! My next post ‘Reflections’ will be the final post on ‘I Wander’…well for this adventure anyway.

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