Paul Gould and father John map out the venture which will take Paul to Burma on a humanitarian mission.
By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE engineer Paul Gould has no doubt that the children who cross the Thai/Burma border have the desire and ability to become the catalyst for future change for themselves and their people.
Mr Gould, an electrical /electronics engineer, will be working as a volunteer with Australian Aid International to deliver a specialist leadership development program to 255 students who are the victims of a regime he describes as “one of the most brutal military dictatorships in the world”.
He will be working at the Hway Ka Lok Learning Centre, which is about three kilometres from the Burmese border in Thailand and was established to provide protection and care to the children crossing the border to attend school.
Most students have no permanent home and no other access to education.
“By just doing some small things such as teaching English and leadership skills, I believe can achieve some good outcomes in the way these kids grow and achieve in the future,” said Mr Gould.
In addition to a career which has involved a number of senior management roles Mr Gould has experience as an Australian Army Reserve commando, as a volunteer fire fighter and CFA team leader, and is qualified in humanitarian operations with extensive academic and practical leadership experience.
Mr Gould said he was moved to volunteer from a long-held interest in humanitarian issues in general and a realisation that the situation for the Burmese people has not had the international attention it needs and deserves.
Mr Gould said the leadership program would be based on the key success enablers of courage, determination, cheerfulness and unselfishness.
Many of the children already have these attributes in spades (and) it is the development of leadership skills that Mr Gould believes will impart a lasting positive state of mind that will allow them to have choices, and the skills to become future leaders.
“Especially with kids who have been affected by conflict, as these children have, it can be the difference between them perhaps becoming child soldiers, and making a better life for themselves,” he said.
“Eventually these regimes change and when they do leaders need to emerge.
“Without new leaders, you don’t get any change in society and that’s why I believe it’s important to be involved.”
Mr Gould is seeking sponsorship to cover travel expenses and ongoing aid materials. All donations are tax deductible.
To make a donation, or for details, email paulg@ashtongould.com.au or visit www.aai.org.au or phone 8319 0907.
