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Learning by doing > Fran Noonan
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Learning
by doing
A collaborative effort
Since 2008, AVI’s collaboration with Macquarie University and the Participation and
Community Engagement (PACE) International initiative, has allowed Macquarie students
the opportunity to broaden their academic and personal horizons, through international
placements with partner organisations around the globe. AVI’s Fran Noonan writes
about the latest achievements of the program.
» Initially a pilot program with 40
students contributing to six short-term
international development projects, PACE
International has since grown considerably.
This year it boasts 85 students taking part in
community development projects in Peru, the
Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam
and India. Overall, 205 students have now
successfully participated in PACE
International to date.
Since the conclusion of the pilot phase
earlier in the year, AVI and Macquarie
University have signed another agreement,
endorsing an additional three-year
partnership. Complementing existing
operations, AVI will also work with Macquarie
University to provide strategic advice to
further develop and embed PACE
International across other sections of the
university, allowing opportunities for more
students and staff to engage with community
development projects.
A learning experience in Peru
In 2011 students from Macquarie University
spent fi ve weeks at Peru’s Challenge, a
Peruvian based NGO in Cusco, working with
local counterparts to develop resources and
strategies for rural Indigenous communities to
manage and address livelihood issues.
Students worked alongside community
members on a school and community
construction project; delivered school lessons
in art, English, sport, dance and music;
contributed to community health initiatives
and promoted healthy hygiene practices to
school children; and assisted local social
workers in undertaking home visits to improve
general household well-being.
Erin Smith
Macquarie University Student
Above > Farryn Gaddin assisting Quilla Huata students with their English classes.
Below Left > PACE participants making adobe bricks in Quilla Huata, Peru.
Below Right > PACE participants assisting the children learning healthy hygiene practises.
Photos > Courtesy PACE International
“I cannot put into words how phenomenal and
life-changing this experience has been. It feels
like we have gained so much more from this
experience than we could ever give back.
Working with the community; with the
mothers, fathers, teachers and students has
been so humbling, and has taught me more
about humility than I can express. On our
farewell, we could see the impact that we had
made on the community; from the kids with
shining faces and smiles, to the women of the
village who as a result have a place to make a
sustainable income. It was just amazing.”
Jane Gavel
Founder of Peru’s Challenge
“The appropriateness of PACE participants
refl ects the collaborative work of PACE
stakeholders – Macquarie University, AVI and
partner organisations – in defi ning what
makes an effective participant. The students
came well prepared and are extremely
motivated. They complete work that would
otherwise cost us a lot of time and money and
enable us to keep our commitments to local
communities. In the past 12 months 90
percent of projects achieved their project
objectives and partner organisations reported
a high level of satisfaction with student
contributions.”