Thoughts from RevJ: AFRICAN CONTACTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

Friday, September 23, 2011

AFRICAN CONTACTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

I was successful in contacting two principles in Africa from two different areas. I asked general questions concerning their trends and issues. District Elder Wilson Madegwa is from Kenya and oversees 3 church schools in 3 different cities. His schools are divided into three categories: baby class - ages 3 1/2 to 5 yrs, Nursery class - 5 1/2 to 6 yrs, and primary school starting at age 7. The schools are private. But most of the students are poor walking to school barefoot up to 6 kilometers one way. Because of the travel times, some classes wait til the students arrive before starting class. Entire families may scrape up the money for one child to go to the private school. Kenya does have public schools. D/E Madegwa's major concerns are lack of nutrition, substance abuse at home, and sexual abuse of the children.

Eld. Sebastian Gaye is the over seer of one church school in Monrovia, Liberia. Eld. Gaye's school is what we would call pre-k to High School. The school is in the city and most of the children are in some way affiliated with the church or recommended by a church member. The children are taught to seek higher learning. Jobs are scarce in their area and they seek education for a way out of poverty.

I will continue to interview D/E Madegwa and Eld. Gaye on other phone conversations. They both were very happy to share. I look forward to learning from them.

3 comments:

AnonymousSeptember 25, 2011 at 9:06 AM
It sure does make me thankful for the opportunities that we have in America....and breaks my heart for those children and families at the same time. Thanks for sharing!
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Fawn ThomasSeptember 25, 2011 at 12:54 PM
It is wonderful that children make the effort to go to school in Africa even though it may be a financial burden and a struggle. The main way out of poverty is through a good education.
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Barbara2September 25, 2011 at 4:54 PM
I think we share many interests. I spent time in Guinea, West Africa and experience much the same with observing the struggle to obtain an education. I do not know the numbers but I do know that many children do not ever enter a classroom. Thank you for your information.
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RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

John Donne (1572-1631) said '...no man is an island...'. Human beings require relationships as we matriculate through life. However significant to us, we need other beings. Even if one went out and lived from the elements around no other humans, that individual would need some other beings to live. Further more, we are born because people came together and when we pass on someone will handle our remains and effects. Relationships of every kind (family, social, professional, religious, romantic) require efforts and maintence from the parties involved.

Some Personal Relationships

I live in a (penthouse type) apartment with a friend of mine I became acquainted with at church. After a painful divorce and left with large mortgage payments, I asked this 'nice' lady from church if she wanted a roommate. She had gone on a weekend trip and while gone her apartment was broken into and everything taken or destroyed (even her clothes). When I sold the house, we continued to be roommates. It has been 11 years now. Although we spend our social time with a seperate group of friends, we are still very close. This relationship has grown as we continue to help each other in any way we can. Denise would give me the shirt off of her back if asked. I would have to think about it if the tables were turned. :-D

I have a best friend named Tonya. She knows me better than my own blood sisters and brothers. We became very close friends after she lost her newborn son as she and her husband held him together. Because of our friendship many have tried to explain it by giving us nicknames such as, Mary and Martha, Paul and Silas, Jonathon and David. The one that stuck is Salt and Pepper. Someone said we bring spice to every situation. Guess who is salt. We minister together. We cry together. We travel together. I have sat in the hospital as she battled illness. She has verbally fought for me. We council each other. We pray for each other. We even feel when the other one is upset or sick. Our friendship is very rare. One author called a friendship like ours, soul-friends. Because of our friendship, we both have grown as a result of our friendship spiritually, emotionally, and cognitively. We even have clothes alike that we bought without the presence of each other. I couldn't make this up.

Both of these relationships are important to me and can be challenging at times. As a friend to both, sometimes I must overlook my thoughts or feelings on an idea or event in order to make the other comfortable or happy. For instance, at our national church conventions I want to talk to everyone I can on the first day. Tonya feels she has all week to see people so she goes to the room while we are on a recess. Every year we fight over which we are doing, meeting and greeting or going to the room. I recently learned that something from her childhood was the reason she didn't like meeting and greeting. I wouldn't have known this without communicating or observing my friend.

Denise and I are partners financially because we split the bills or take responsibilty of certain bills. This must be done through collaboration. Tonya and I are partners financially, spiritually, and professionally. Since becoming friends we have incorporated 2 nonprofit companies, started a women's annual conference, become Bible college professors and board members, as well as an international ministering team.

Learning to compromise in order to accomplish tasks with my friends has given me experience when working with my customers as an administrater of a day care. However, the knowledge I have aquired through these relationships will also give me experience as an EC professional working with children and their parents. As with the friendships when I had to disgard my desires in order to help them, I have the understanding that I must understand that my desires are not always the best as I collaborate with others.