Teacher Training Thursday

As I walked out of the “Handyman’s Paradise” a local hardware store I was asked if I was going fishing or doing some gardening??

Every two weeks teachers from our 19 pre-schools come together to pick up curriculum, school supplies and teaching aids.  They also get to learn a pre-school learning outcome and then make some sort of educational toy or musical instrument. It is a time for us to collect their monthly registers and see how things are going in the everyday running of their schools.

This week we made lacing cards that are good for working the small muscles and train fine motor skills.  We collected pieces of cardboard and used fishing line.  We also made hoola hoops from plastic a pipe and conduit joiner that is normally used for drip irrigation.

During a typical teacher training day, this is what happens:-

·         A DAF truck leaves the Overland Mission Rapid 14 Base at 6am and drives to the half way point, a village called Chibalani.  Teachers walk there and wait for the truck to pick them up.  Some teachers leave their homes at midnight so they can reach Chibalani in time.

·         They get to Nsongwe Village at 8:30am where tea and bread is ready for breakfast.

·         At 9am we come together for a time of singing and sharing from the word of God, to encourage, challenge and motivate their hearts.

·         At 10am the theory part of the training starts

·         Lunch is served at 1pm and then we hand out curriculum, supplies and all that’s needed for the next 2 weeks

·         We also so a time of “make and take” where we use, mostly recyclables to make toys, musical instruments and other teaching aids for the children

·         By 3pm everyone gets one the truck and heads home!

There is a lot of work (driving, cooking, preparing, purchasing of supplies, printing, coloring and laminating) put into this training yet the fruit outweighs it all!

Knowing that lives are being changed, adults being given a hope for tomorrow, children are being given an education and an opportunity to enjoy learning.  God is being revealed for who He is in the hearts of the people and His kingdom is being established!