This post compliments our 'To Chimoio - but not quite beyond' entry and was written by Lynn Lagore from ASAM Ministries
Over the past few weeks, we have had the privilege of receiving a number of short term mission guests. Among them was a team from Mercy Air, South Africa. Anne Herbert, one of Mercy Air’s team members, has provided much help and support to our student remedial education effort over the years already. She was able to accompany the current team and dedicate her time here to helping train mission staff members in student assessment and basic literacy and numeracy activities.
Over the past few weeks, we have had the privilege of receiving a number of short term mission guests. Among them was a team from Mercy Air, South Africa. Anne Herbert, one of Mercy Air’s team members, has provided much help and support to our student remedial education effort over the years already. She was able to accompany the current team and dedicate her time here to helping train mission staff members in student assessment and basic literacy and numeracy activities.
This will help us
strengthen our students’ foundation in reading, maths, and learning in
general, all so critical as they grow and as their minds
develop!
Staff
members who will monitor student progress and provide encouragement and
instruction to students got plenty of fun, hands-on training.
Children
from the community close to ASAM as well as some of the teenage mothers enjoyed
a full afternoon of fun, games, activities and LEARNING – divided into early
literacy, numeracy and physical activities.
Children
were blessed with sweets that had been sent in a container from Mercy Air
Sweden thanks
to the hard work of Camilla and family to cap the afternoons activities. The
following day parents wanted to know if this would happen on a more regular
basis where there children could LEARN
Thankfully, there is no age restriction on learning.
A
session was also conducted for general staff members who are fathers, husbands,
and heads of their homes. It was heart warming to see their enthusiasm to learn
in anticipation of being able to help their families, and others, learn better
as well!
Lynn
reported after devotions the next day that the guys were so excited about the
class Anne did with them that the next morning at devotions they talked about
it with everyone and asked if that was the end of it? So Lynn assured him it was
not! Lynn with the help of Rick another team member, plan to continue starting
Monday afternoon.
Then today
I was reviewing the commitment agreements we've had the external students'
parents and students. As they had to sign the form I realised yet again
(sadly), how many of the parents could only sign with an "x" or just
a scribble.
This
reminds me of the tremendous change even a bit of learning makes in the life of
an individual. My heart’s desire is to sit down with each of these parents and
teach them to read and write. As we work together on this, with help from Mercy
Air and their wing of 'Education to Build a Nation', this no longer feels like an
impossibility. It can become a reality.
Thank you
Mercy Air and ASAM teams