It’s more than a classroom, it’s a community. By Valida Rzaeva
First, my deepest gratitude to the students, volunteers, and teachers of the SWORDE-Teppa Centers for inviting me to their space and allowing me to share in their journey!
Last summer I became an online volunteer to the SWORDE-Teppa community and over the last several months – while waiting for the borders to open – I interacted with the teachers, volunteers, and students.
During this time, I discovered my enthusiasm for outreach and education.
Coming from a neighboring country, I understand the importance of having access to education and learning the English language.
I was amazed at how much students had learned, how their communication and thinking skills had improved, as well as how they were able to self-reflect and describe how they had changed with the help of SWORDE- Teppa community.
I was enthralled by the ideas put forth by the teachers, volunteers, and community members on the life-changing education that is taking place at SWORDE-Teppa schools in Tajikistan.
To create, innovate and sustain progressive programs like SWORDE-Teppa requires people who are willing to provide a tremendous effort, ample time and to accept the “messiness” that goes along with it.
The centers are sustained only through the dedicated effort of Trustees, teachers, and volunteers as they pursue their passion for teaching and making a positive change.
The teachers and volunteers continuously learn from their students and by adapting and using their own gifts they create a dynamic learning environment.
Teachers are entrusted with the students’ lives and future as students are their responsibility and their legacy.
SWORDE-Teppa community has created programs that offer students a unique experience, full of opportunities to learn, grow and transform as individuals.
When students embody the best qualities of society, deeply know and honor themselves, and intertwine their passions with their future vocation, they are better able to lead the way towards a fairer society and a better world.
I give my sincerest thanks to Paul Marchant, the founder and operator of SWORDE-Teppa, English language centers in Tajikistan, for his commitment to the school.
Paul has created a diverse community where teachers honor their learners’ individual learning styles and pace while creating opportunities for the future.
Throughout the conversations with students, teachers, and community members it became clear that the students had undergone a huge transition over the year while studying to learn English and collaborate on dedicated projects in teams with community members.
Unlike almost all other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), SWORDE-Teppa is a “sustainable” organization. This means that they don’t rely on grants and funds from governments or larger organizations.
By volunteering for the SWORDE-Teppa, I discovered that when our skills and passion align, our capacity to love and serving others expand exponentially.
SWORDE-Teppa, an Inspiring School.
Since 2005 SWORDE-Teppa has been a registered charity in the UK and a registered non-profit in the Republic of Tajikistan.
The first school open in Bokhtar City. Over the last number of years, three additional schools have started in Levakant, Kushoniyon and Jaihun (border district with Afghanistan).
There is now a field station for ecology and climate change projects in Sari Khosor Baljuan district.
Paul is an entomologist who first came to Tajikistan from UK in 1999 to research a project on the efficacy of mosquito nets.
Initially Paul started SWORDE-Teppa as an environmental organization to help promote sustainable living, English lessons have also always been an important program too.
SWORDE-Teppa projects focus on: education, English language, environment, culture & tourism, health & hygiene, and youth & sports. English language and its importance in the development of Tajikistan is a common factor in many of these projects.
SWORDE- Teppa also works with the British Embassy in the capital of Tajikistan – Dushanbe – in promoting cultural awareness and good UK and Tajikistan relations.
At SWORDE-Teppa, students not only have a chance to learn and improve English, they also learn real-world skills that will grow their community.
For example, they are taught to have an open mind and be respectful of alternative worldviews, beliefs, and cultures. They are encouraged to deeply inquire about the world around them and in return follow their passions.
Students in this educational program are provided with opportunities to be engaged with content in meaningful and relevant ways, to explore their own ideas and questions, and to share knowledge with the broader community.
Creating these opportunities to learn such critical life skills can only be accomplished when a safe and respectful space exists.
Some students enjoy the content, field trips, and learning that takes place outside the classroom, while others are profoundly impacted by the classroom culture and unique learning environment that has been created.
SWORDE-Teppa provides a unique opportunity for students to engage with their peers, teachers and environment as they pursue academic excellence.
The school also provides a safe place for students to gather and connect within the largest English library in the country – home to nearly 30,000 books.
Paul has created something truly beneficial for local citizens with barely any funds, the students are eligible for free lessons: girls from rural areas, health service workers such as doctors and nurses, science teachers and volunteers.
Children with disabilities and orphans study free, and the school offers free classes for English teachers employed in state schools and universities to help improve their language skills.
Since the first school opened, more than 5000 students have benefitted from English language lessons with ten of thousands of beneficiaries from SWORDE-Teppa other projects in Tajikistan.
Much like a family within a larger family: SWORDE-Teppa is a true community. The students and teachers are given the time to foster deep relationships and to create a space that is safe.
The creation, implementation and success of an organization does not occur overnight, through constant planning and feedback the school continues to evolve – each year the program grows, improves, and better meets the needs of students and teachers alike.
SWORDE-Teppa is one of the few successful sustainable projects in Tajikistan and certainly the longest-running. This makes SWORDE-Teppa unique amongst the international charitable organizations in Tajikistan.
Over the years SWORDE-Teppa continues to evolve and has undergone dramatic changes inspired by dedicated people around the world who help promote the school in its evolution, helping to bring awareness of the region, activities and hidden beauties of the South of Tajikistan.
For example, Teppa Tours is one of the school’s branches. It follows a community-based model of tourism and offers guides and interpreters to visitors exploring Tajikistan.
SWORDE-Teppa specialists have almost 20 years of experience showing guests around the southern parts of the country.
Before you visit Tajikistan, please make sure you check their websites and explore their YouTube -Teppa Tours channel adventures:
Much of the school’s success comes from two simple, yet integral resources: space and time.
However, the school also needs financial support. Please help fund the future of Tajikistan’s Youth. Your donation will provide access to education and provide opportunities for students to be engaged with content in meaningful and relevant ways, to explore their own ideas and questions, and to share knowledge with the broader community.
I admire the SWORDE-Teppa volunteers and teachers who put down their textbooks and open the door for creative, imaginative, and meaningful education.
Teachers who connect with their students’ individual uniqueness and inspire them to not only follow their passion but to also actively stretch their worldviews, mindsets and, in effect, themselves.
For more information, please visit:
Thank you!
Photos by depositphotos.com