A key element of U21’s recently ratified Framework for Equitable and Inclusive Global Engagement is a commitment of network members to strive for Global education to be universally available irrespective of background, ability, or means.
This summer 17 students from University College Dublin Volunteers Overseas (UCDVO)[1] took practical action to support this ambition working with the Migrant Overseas Education Initiative (MOEI) [2]. MOEI is a volunteer English teaching programme that operates in Southeast Asia. The students delivered over 1,000 hours of English teaching to more than 200 underprivileged local students in Cambodia and raised funds to renovate classrooms and facilities.
Hilary Minch, UCDVO Manager, shared more about the programme:
This year MOEI welcomed two groups from UCDVO who each completed four weeks of teaching. This was a welcome return to an in-person volunteer programme paused since 2019, and UCDVO’s first project in Cambodia.
Prior to their arrival in Cambodia, the UCDVO volunteers from a range of academic backgrounds underwent a comprehensive global citizenship education and training programme in Ireland. This included learning about the Sustainable Development Goals, ethical volunteering, personal safety and child safeguarding. Volunteers also raised funds for MOEI’s partner school and project costs.
The MOEI programme started in Siem Reap where the volunteers received one week of orientation and teacher training, a key part of the programme. It ensures that volunteers are well prepared and have all the materials needed to deliver four weeks of quality teaching alongside Cambodian teachers. After each day of intensive teacher training, the volunteers were able to unwind by doing activities such as visiting Angkor Wat and elephant sanctuaries, along with enjoying traditional dance shows, pottery classes and much more.
This year the two groups of volunteers delivered eight weeks of teaching at a partner school in Battambang, Cambodia. The school, as with all MOEI partners, is a free school set up to help underprivileged local students have access to better education. To make sure the volunteers are well supported during their teaching placement, an experienced English teacher is present every day to observe lessons, assist with lesson planning and any other teaching-related needs. In total, the volunteers taught over 1,000 hours of English to the 200+ students at the school. The school director described them as the best groups he has ever had and is already looking forward to the next batch of U21 volunteers.
‘This was, without a doubt, the most rewarding and unique experience of my life. From start to finish, we were so well looked after by the MOEI team and their local partners. I cannot recommend this programme highly enough, especially for those making their first foray into the world of international volunteering.’
Ciarán, UCVDO, Team Leader
As well as providing education, the volunteers had an impact on the school in other ways. A percentage of the programme fee goes directly to the school. This year the funds were used to renovate three classrooms unsafe to use and transform the homestays for volunteers. Now the school has a comfortable homestay option which MOEI can pay to use instead of a local hotel. The three new classrooms mean that class sizes can be reduced and divided into more levels, both of which improve the quality of education for students.
The vision for the future
The aim of MOEI is to demonstrate high standards in delivering responsible volunteer programmes and ensuring positive outcomes for local communities and the volunteers themselves. All our volunteers are well supported and trained before, during and after the volunteer programmes. MOEI also plans to engage with networks such as IVCO’s Global Volunteering Standard.
Through donations from the programme fee, MOEI aims to provide local partners with the annual budget they require to run successful schools, support capacity-building and establish organisational structures.
In collaboration with U21, MOEI hopes to run programmes each year from June - August and December – February.
‘The AKD school Battambang was so lucky to work with UCD volunteers from the MOEI programme. The volunteers shared their knowledge of English with the students very well. The students were so happy with the volunteers. UCD volunteers donated money for much needed renovations of volunteers’ bedrooms, living rooms and classrooms. This included new ceilings/roofs for bedrooms of one home stay building and three classrooms destroyed by the storm. They also bought five modern toilets and showers, fitted out 10 bedrooms with beds, mattresses, mosquito nets, bedding and curtains, purchased new paint for three classrooms and two home stay buildings, new light bulbs and mosquito screens for all windows. In a short time, this improved AKD so much which is incredible.’
Kamnat, Association for Knowledge Development School Director
MOEI is run by Experiential Learning Asia. If you would like to find out more about how your students could join fellow U21 students on a MOEI programme, please contact Carl Browne .
[1] UCDVO were the 2024 Team winners of the U21 Awards recognising their dedication to empower the UCD community to be active global citizens for a fair and sustainable world.
[2] MOEI was a programme originally created by HKU in 2008 and shared with the U21 Network at the 2022 AGM.
MOEI is a volunteer English teaching program that operates in Southeast Asia. The program works with free schools that have been set up by the local community. Here’s what volunteers can expect when they sign up:
- Pre trip preparation sessions
- One week teacher training
- Cultural experiences
- Minimum 4 week teaching placement
- Daily teacher support (lesson planning help etc)
- An unforgettable & impactful volunteer experience
- Date
- Author
- Amber Bartlett