Friday, February 28, 2014

Community Schools

Recently, I was asked about the 28 community schools that are run by our denomination. So, I thought I would share the information with all of you, along with the video that Joel made about these amazing schools!

The community schools serve the most vulnerable children in Zambia, offering an education to students who cannot attend the public schools. Their inability to attend public schools has to do with the fees that are charged and the cost of uniforms. Most of the children are orphans; all of them are vulnerable in some way. The churches themselves run the community schools, and members of the churches actually seek out kids who are not going to school and invite them to attend the community schools. Here are a few ways that the community schools transform lives:

*Education: The teachers at these schools provide a very high-quality education; most of the teachers are volunteers from the church, some are paid a very small stipend. It is important to note that the passing rate for these schools is over 90%, well above the government schools. They are very successful in doing what they do; one of the teachers said that their success is due to the fact that the teachers are there because they feel that this is what God is calling them to do; they are deeply committed to the children. 

*Nutrition: Children at the community schools are provided one meal during the day; women at the church prepare the meal and the food helps the children learn, while also encouraging them to come to school.

*HIV/AIDS nutritional supplements: These are not provided by the Community Schools program, but some of the schools work in conjunction with the HIV/AIDS home based care program, which provides nutritional supplements to HIV positive children and adults. So, the children come to the school, and go home with small bags of groceries which provide nutritional supplements, thereby helping their anti-retroviral drugs to be more effective in fighting HIV/AIDS.

*Trauma counseling: This one is so important! Dr. Bob Bielke is a child psychologist, who has done multiple trainings for teachers and caregivers. The teachers and caregivers have formed after school clubs, where children can learn how to deal with trauma, loss, anger, and so many of the challenges they face.

One caregiver told me about a little boy who was angry all the time. It turned out that he had been alone with his little brother, when his little brother fell into a river and died. The boy could not save his brother and had to watch him drown. He has been dealing with incredible guilt for a very long time, blaming himself for the loss of his brother. The caregiver is working with him, using the skills she learned from Dr. Bielke, to help in his healing, and to help alleviate that guilt and anger.

In another case, a student felt guilt because his father had left his mother when he was born. He thought it was his fault that his mother was on her own and the family was so poor. The caregivers are working with him, too, to try and help him find healing and hope. These after school clubs help the children learn to deal with trauma and pain; they enable to children to make good choices, and to see the possibilities of bright, hopeful futures.  

*Spiritual nurture: The community schools involve Christian lessons, and encourage the children to live in love and peace. At the same time, the community schools are ecumenical and interfaith. Most of the students are not a part of the church, but are invited to come to the schools, regardless of faith or denomination.

The community schools care for the students in a holistic way: their minds, through a very good education; their bodies, through nutritious food and HIV/AIDS nutritional supplements; their spirits, through Christian education; their psychological well-being, through well-trained caregivers and after school clubs. 

We recently went to Matero Community School, where there is a new building that the school is using. The teachers and students are very excited about it! Here are some quotes from them:


Elizabeth
Elizabeth, volunteer teacher: "This building is very helpful because whenever we have a program at church, we have to send the children back home, but with this new building, we never have to send the children back home. That is so beneficial to us. Some of the community members are discouraged because of using the church building and all the unnecessary holidays, but with the new building, more children will come."

"It is very hard to teach with three classes in one room. The babies are screaming while the other children are trying to read and write. With the new classrooms, they will have their own room. There will be desks in the new building and each class will have a board. Right now they are sharing one board."

Tenashe
Tenashe, Boy, Grade 3: "I have been in school for four months. I like to learn reading in school. I am excited about the new classroom because it is quiet and there is no noise. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor."

Katija, Girl, Grade 3: "I have been in school for five years. My favorite subject is English. I am very excited about the new classrooms. I like playing on Thursday. I play football on Thursdays. I want to be a nurse when I grow up. When I come to school I come to learn, to teach us the songs, to play football, see the teachers, play the games."

Katija

Finally, here is the seven minute video that Joel created, about the work of the community schools. I think it is a very good overview, and worth the seven minutes!



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