A RETIRED teacher from West Devon will set off for the experience of a lifetime this August, working as a volunteer in Nepal.

Ann Mitchell, who was headteacher at Lamerton Primary for eleven years, will be based in a rural part of the country, working on a new project to encourage girls in education.

Nepal is the 15th poorest country in the world. A quarter of the population live in poverty with a household monthly income of less than £150. Many children are malnourished. Almost half of all adult women are illiterate and education for girls is not thought important.

Ann will be working for the Sisters for Sisters charity, training teachers to make their lessons more 'girl-friendly'. She will also be setting up partnerships between older girls who already go to school and younger ones, in order to help and support them.

Ann said: 'I finished at Lamerton last summer and went to Uganda in October, to visit a school which is twinned with Lamerton.

'I spent two weeks there and realised how much work there is to be done in Third World countries. I suddenly realised I had so many skills I could use to help people who are not so fortunate as we are here; I had so much I could offer.'

Ann applied to VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) and was originally offered positions in Rwanda and Ethiopia.

'Basically, it was training teachers in university, and that wasn't really me,' said Ann, who was delighted to be offered a place in Nepal.

'It's going to be working with schools and children, I am over the moon about it, it's going to be a big adventure.'

Ann has signed up for two years in Nepal.

'Initially I said I'd only go for a year, but because the project requires you to speak Nepali, I probably won't be up and running properly for a few months, and a year won't really be long enough to see the project through.

'I am very passionate about girls' education, it's a way out of poverty, I saw that very much in Uganda, it's so important.'

Ann will probably be living on her own or perhaps with another VSO volunteer in a small house or flat. It may not have running water and may not even have electricity. The area she has been appointed to is on the plains, in a very rural area.

Ann said: 'I know I have to cycle between the villages because there's no transport. They have suggested to fit in with the community you wear the same type of clothes, tunics and baggy trousers — I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to ride a bike properly in them!'

Ann said a tactful approach was going to be needed in her work. Most teachers were male and priority is given to boys' education, particularly in rural areas.

She will not only be trying to change the attitude towards girls' education, but will also be encouraging the teachers in the way they approach their lessons.

'A lot of the teaching practice out there is talk and chalk — like it was in Britain about 80 years ago.

'From talking to VSO volunteers, I will be doing very much exemplar lessons, and working alongside the teachers, almost guiding them into a more effective way of learning.'

Ann will be learning herself — not only the language but the customs of Nepal.

'We do things completely differently here — for example, out there, it's considered really rude to lick your fingers — there are going to be so many things to learn, particularly as it's such a rural area. It's going to be a huge culture shock.'

Ann is currently visiting schools in the area to talk about her trip and raise awareness of the work of VSO. She is expected to raise £1,500 for the organisation, although her living expenses for the two-year period will be covered by Sisters for Sisters. She has raised £1,000 so far, including a donation of £300 from Dartmoor Border Morris, of which she is a member.

Ann said the biggest challenge for her — apart from a certain amount of apprehension regarding sanitary conditions in her new home — was the fact she was going 'into the unknown'.

'I just can't really prepare for it in that respect. And my baggage allowance is 35 kilos — for two years!

'I think the whole thing is going to change my perspective about life. You get to realise what really matters, and all the things you fuss about aren't really that important at all.'

l Ann is holding a cakes, plants and books sale at Abbotsfield on Saturday, June 1 between 10.30am and 1.30pm, to raise money for VSO. All welcome — the sale will be signposted from Abbotsfield.