GLOUCESTER Public kindergarten teacher Mirabai Stockwell has just jetted off on a four-week volunteer aid mission to Nepal.
Ms Stockwell travelled to Nepal with the Children’s Welfare Organisation of Nepal (Australia branch) and will spend four weeks in the Chitwan region working with children and young people that have been displaced by a decade of civil war as well as natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
CWON Australia runs hygiene training and health camps as part of its volunteer program each year.
“The organisation has a link to Southern Cross University in Coffs Harbour,” Ms Stockwell said.
“A lot of students are involved. They’re encouraged to raise the money to help finance their ticket over.”
Ms Stockwell has paid for her own ticket and has instead been raising money to go towards an ambulance for the town of Jutpani.
To date she has raised just under $5000, which is about a third of the total cost CWON Australia estimates is needed to provide the service.
Ms Stockwell also hopes to present medical practitioners in Jutpani with a portable defibrillator donated by JLM Accutek Healthcare in Sydney.
“I approached a friend of mine Jess Mackenzie who works with the company and they were only too happy to come on board,” Ms Stockwell said.
A teacher at Gloucester Public for the past five years, Ms Stockwell will put her educational skills to the test during the trip.
“We’ll be split into two groups once we arrive in Chitwan. One group will focus on medical support and the other will provide educational support,” she said.
“Volunteering is something I’ve always wanted to do.
“I looked into it many years ago but it’s taken me this long to finally do it.”
Ms Stockwell said she hopes to continue raising money for CWON and would welcome donations by members of the Gloucester public.
To donate contact her at mira_stockwell@hotmail.com
