Visit to the Schools

 

Since being here and helping the children with their education, I have wanted to visit their schools to find out how teachers generally teach and to speak with them about the children’s strengths and areas for improvement. Mission of Love had some brand new soccer uniforms donated for the schools, so Jako and I decided to kill two birds with one stone. We took a day to go to Nguba, the government school where a lot of our children attend, to give the new athletic uniforms and to visit with the teachers. The headmaster and athletic director were very thankful for the uniform donation. They said that their team would now win every game because they would be the best dressed team. We hope to be able to catch a game at some point and see our kids playing, as well as, the other children in their new uniforms.

The headmaster was very excited that I came to visit and asked that if I had any suggestions on how they could teach better, to please inform him and they would make the changes. It surprised me that a headmaster was asking me for advice for his teachers…but I figured if I saw too many red flags I could offer some input. So Jako and I sat in on a class for a couple hours to observe the teaching styles and how the children respond to everything. The teacher did a great jo involving the students and teaching in English; however, I can see how one student can easily get lost. First of all, they don’t have near enough benches or desks for the children, half of the class is on the floor and the rest are squished together on the few benches they do have. The other problem we observed is that the teacher shows the work on the board and asks the children if they understand. The children never practice on their own in class having a chance to get help if they aren’t able to remember how to do it without the teacher holding their hand. This shows in all our children at the orphanage…when I look at their school books all the work is correct, but when I ask them to do a new problem they don’t always know where to start or how to fully complete the problem. However, the teacher did give us great insight as to why some of our kids scores are so low…he said that the children often understand the material, but all their exams are in English and they don’t frequently understand the questions. Our goal is to work with them to improve their English so they can better excel in school.

Later, we headed the opposite direction and visited the community school, Nampiyan. It was quite a different experience. The headmaster just happened to be on a holiday, but thankfully he wasn’t far away, so they were able to get him to come receive the new uniforms. We gave the uniforms to the athletic director and the headmaster…he brought all the children out to the school yard and explained where the uniforms came from and asked all the children to say thank you. Their soccer team hasn’t been practicing since they didn’t have a ball, so the blessing of a new ball ad uniforms will get them back in the game. The teachers at this school weren’t as eager to have us observe the classes, but the headmaster was able to give insight to our children who are attending school there. He confirmed all of our observations and we were content with that!

 

I am glad God gave us the opportunity to visit both schools and I hope to go back and visit more regularly in assisting with our children’s education.