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The Pestalozzi International Village Trust, founded in response to the experience of war, aims to bring the right kind of education to the right people, to provide part of the answer to a world divided by misunderstanding and inequality.
The Rotary Club of Golders Green has been involved in a project at Pestalozzi for over a decade now. Some 2,100 trees have been planted in what is become known as the Rotary Forest.
The Rotary Club of Golders Green presents a certificate for a tree planted in the name of a donor. Donations can be as little as £10 to qualify for such a certificate.
About a 1,000 trees have been sponsored to date.
There is an established tradition at The Rotary Club of Golders Green for many years where each time they have a visiting speaker a toast is proposed to another Rotary Club anywhere in the world with some connection to the name of topic of the speaker. The club then sends out a certificate for a tree planted in its name to that club and explains our tradition.
Click here to visit Pestalozzi International Village's website for further information.
Introducing Pestalozzi.
by Thomas Kasonde Mukonde
Pestalozzi International Village is a small community in Sedlescombe, East Sussex. The village is a village within a village and is indeed, one of its kind. I say this because of the extraordinary community making up the village is made up of a diverse group of individuals. The experiences at the village amount to memories that will stand the test of time. Before sharing my own experiences at the village, I will briefly outline the history of this great institution.
The village gets its name from Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746- 1827), a Swiss educational reformer. Noting the social disparities in his community, Mr Pestalozzi decided to leave his theological career to set up and ran a series of schools for poor and displaced children. Pestalozzi believed in educating the whole person; the head, the heart and the hands. His education philosophy aimed to avoid the mere presentation of facts and the poor development of all the faculties of the child.
His theories still form the basis of many an educational system. The village in Sedlescombe was set up in 1959, with 40 children from war-torn Europe. Over the years, it has undergone several changes and today has 33 students representing 6 different nationalities; Zimbabweans, Zambians, Tibetans, Nigerians, Nepalese and Indians. I come from Zambia, a country in Central Africa. The students study the 2- year International Baccalaureate Diploma at Hastings College of Arts and Technology while engaging in other complementary activities on the village campus.
For me, the greatest learning experience has not been in a Chemistry Lab Class or a Shakespeare class but in the house I share with the other Pestalozzi scholars. Indeed, never would I have thought that one day I would sit at the same table with a Tibetan or play a snooker game with an Indian. Relating with people of different colours, races and diverse backgrounds is a great experience. Such a scenario makes one realize how similar people from different parts of the world are. The challenges faced by English, Nigerian or Nepali youth are very similar. It is only the society that differs. True to say, we have different woes but under that glaze lies common human nature. In fact it is these differences that are important for us. By interacting with friends from different backgrounds, we may find ways of solving old problems. That is my best experience in the village; to be allowed to be who I am, share my ideas, hopes, aspirations and beliefs with others while I ponder on a wealth of ideas and experiences never before encountered.
Many have come and left Pestalozzi Village. Most have left behind countries that are thirsty for fresh impetus for development and leadership. In all cases, the students may not have continued with formal education due to inadequate funds or lack of appropriate facilities. The village encourages the scholars to give back to their communities after the Pestalozzi experience and subsequent university or college professional education. For most of us, such a dream is what we thrive on. In my case, I am appalled by the poor health situation in my country. Why should so many mothers and children be suffering? I realize many factors come into play and I have faith that one day, justice will be done. Some past students are now serving their communities in various vocations. In line with our common values, the students have decided to set up a Rotaract Club, Rotaract 1066. The club was initially only for Pestalozzi scholars but we have now opened our doors to young people from the local community. We believe this will add to our diverse community. Rotaract club embarks on one major project each year. In past years, the students have, among other activities, helped construct a well, helped farmers and set up sanitary projects. The funds used for these projects are raised by the students while they are at the village. The future starts now.
Without the help of organisations like the Rotary Club, whose ideal of ‘Service above self’ closely fits the ideal of the village as a whole, the village would not continue to exist. I pay homage to the Rotarians, not only in the United Kingdom, but around the world who continue to serve their communities with faithfulness and diligence. To all the Rotarians, I say thank you.
Thomas Kasonde Mukonde
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