Short-term volunteer bids farewell to Junior School

Paul Duevel grew up in Norway, and has been a primary school teacher for several years now. Recently, he decided to take a year off to travel. “I am not fond of travelling as a tourist, so instead I thought it would be more fun to volunteer,” explained Paul. He started off in Spain, living in a small village in the mountains where he helped his host tend to her garden and take care of her horses. Then he spent some time at a surf camp in Azores, Portugal. “I had heard of the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad through my parents, who have come here as volunteers themselves. After hearing the wonderful stories that they told about the school I thought it would be a good destination and would add a new experience to my journey.” 

Paul mostly helped out at the Academy Junior School, visiting classrooms, helping teachers when they needed it, and reading with students. “I had the privilege to frequently come in to read to the daycare and first grade class,” said Paul. “We read a wide variety of books and the students were eager to participate in activities that tied into the stories that they had just heard.”

He also ran a writers’ workshop with grade 4 students. Together, they learned about the different elements that go into being an author. Paul showed them how to develop ideas into small moments and how to turn those small moments into books, which the students published. “Moving forward these students will hopefully continue their work as aspiring authors,” Paul shares, “and will continue to publish books to share with the other students of Junior School.” 

After school, Paul helped Senior School students with their basketball club during enrichment time. On Fridays, he supported another faculty member with a circus enrichment group for the juniors where he shared some juggling skills. “My experience here has been really nice. Both students and staff have been really friendly and have gone out of their way to share and make me feel at home.” 

"Paul brought with him youthful energy, enthusiasm and a sense of humour into the Junior School," said Principal Sreelatha Kumar. "His legacy is the wonderful assembly he did on the requisite qualities of being a global traveller."

Paul has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a teaching certification and a Master’s in Primary Education. In the last five years, he has worked for international and national schools in Norway and Oman. The Academy Junior School is sad to see him go, and hopes he will take his memories with him as he continues on his journey!