Encouraged around every turn!

 In June and July we finished the last things outstanding for the ABC/ACTT students to graduate. This they did and we had a lovely evening @ First Light Coffee Shop, celebrating their achievements.

Also in July I returned to Canzibe, Transkei to complete the second week of the “Out of Town training”. (Please look here if you would like to see how such training works.) It was nice to now already know the students a little better. The reports of how they are implementing the training warms my heart.

In the past 4 months I also trained 7 students with the Sophakama Tutor Training. One lady started her practical at a school, but because of the holidays that started, could not complete it, so she continued with a few kids in her neighborhood. Now that the practical is completed, the neighbors have asked her to continue with their children, as they can see the value the lessons add to their children's academic development. I always rejoice when I hear such reports. 

The ABC Spring Adventure had only one participant. Even though I would have liked to have more, it was really good to invest in the one. Caron Hammond was a star student in every way. She read through all the material after every class and implemented every sphere we touched on. Well done!!!

I am currently busy with training at a local Safe House for Children. The founder, Nelly, is such an inspiring person and you can see her positive influence on her children. I am talking to them about how they can all play a part in the development of the little one between the ages of three to six years in their family. I have been enriched myself from this time with them.

Well, that is my news at this time.

 

Evelyn

Returning to Old Places.

 

In March I visited Pellsrus Primary School where I volunteered in 2017. The whole of last year being back in Jeffreys' Bay, I did not get to go there, but then in March it seemed that it was a good time to have returned. In reconnecting with some of the Staff, a string of opportunities opened up for teaching the Tutor Training. I think I need to investigate training Reading Coaches in the whole of the Kouga region. As I have come to understand, the Reading Coaches are only there to help the teachers with giving the learners more practice in reading outside the classroom. I think however that if the Reading Coaches had training in how to teach reading, they would be able to help much more!

In the beginning of May I returned to another place where I haven't been since 2013. I was invited by a Non-Profit to go and do the ABC Adventure Course with their Staff in the Transkei. I did half of the Course, as I previously laid out. I think that especially the Maths tutoring material was very helpful tools to them and they were encouraged to implement it at their After Care program. Lord Willing, I will return later the year to do the second week of the ABC Adventure Course.

I am also looking into the possibilities of returning to Gqeberha and Cradock. I trust that next time I write, I can report on how that developed.

Until then, one step at a time, we do what we can so that children's lives can be impacted towards a good future.

Evelyn

 

 

Trying out new formats!

 July and August were difficult months with Covid 19 running rampart.

In September I launched a new format for the ABC Adventure/Sophakama Internship. The course ran for 3 months, but only every second Saturday. This worked very well. During the 2 weeks in between classes the students had time to finish their practicals.

I had 4 students for this course - 1 a lady from Cradock that still wanted to do the training. She joined online from her local church building, benefiting from the WiFi there.

Having done the course in those 6 daylong sessions, the stage was set for doing the course in two weeks. Teaching on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; with observations and practicals done on Tuesday and Thursday. The idea would then be to return a month or two later to do the second week with the same rhythm.

At the end of November 2021 I piloted this structure, when I was invited to Bronkhorstspruit to teach the staff of 4 local schools the Week 1. It worked out quite well. Now, the stage is set for me to move into more communities as opportunities presents itself, while at the same time having a solid home base.

I include the 6 days teaching program as it is done in the 3 months, every second week format for your information.

Teaching 1: Teacher and child.

Home work: 1 Observation at a Preschool.

Read School readiness and write a report.

Teaching 2: Preschool daily program

Home work: Have a practical lesson.

Write a test!

Teaching 3:Tutor training on how to teach reading and basic mathematics.

Home work: Do 10 tutor lessons.

(5 lessons each with 2 children)

Teaching 4: Emotional Intelligence & Introduction to Basic Counseling skills

Home work: Do 2 EI lessons at a school or Aftercare.

Teaching 5: Camping & Outings

Home work: Organize a camp or Outing.

Choose a community issue.

Teaching 6: Community project

Home work: Make a presentation to a community panel who will evaluate the project.

Peace

Evelyn