Teacher’s Workshop

Today, I went with sister Rosario to Lodukome. This is a small village 1 hour away from Barsaloi. I went to work leadership with the teachers of the shepherd’s program. At the end of every school year, sister Rosario invites all the teachers to a meeting to evaluate the school year and to share a lunch together. It was a very interesting experience!!.  There were 13 teachers (10 men 3 women) and 3 headmasters from Barsaloi, and 2 from another village.

My topic was well received. All of the teachers were very participative. There you can see some pictures of some activities we did. Also, there is a video where the teachers represent the violence the occurs in the Samburu Family.

I specially emphasized their importance as role models, and the power they have to educate small children and to empower them in self-confidence, human rights, respect to each other, women rights and giving back to the community, among others. This last topic is important because there are 2 certified teachers who have received help from Africa Digna for their studies and the sisters have all the hope that these men are going to give back to the community. I have my doubts. These are young men between 25 and 27 years old who are receiving help to get a certificate, diploma and master degree with the promise that they have to give back to their people. The problem is that they are going to find a well-paid job in Nairobi. So, why would they go back to Barsaloi if they get good money in the big city? After the workshop it was lunch time, in the picture you can see how they are cutting the goat. The menu was potatoes, rice and goat. Of course I didn’t eat. I couldn’t.

After the workshop they had a break to drink chai (tea). Later, each one of the teachers had the opportunity to evaluate the school year and give some recommendations for next year. But the best moment was when the headmasters of Barsaloi and the neighboring towns told the teachers and sister Rosario that they really appreciate the program. They recognize that the shepherd’s people are being helped with this program!! Sister Rosario told them that this was very important because in case the sponsors don’t give more money the government can assume this program. But the head master was clear in saying that the primary is open for everybody. But to the question: the shepherd work during all day, are you are going to have primary at night? He never said anything. They know they need this kind of programs!!

At night there was a mini magic show for the visitors from Spain. They are a couple of architects who were in Barsaloi conducting a survey about the living conditions. There is a big chance that a nonprofit organization is going to support a project to build 20 houses in Barsaloi. This would be great!!! Anyway, since I’m still sleeping in the sister’s home, when I got there they were watching cinderella and later Peter Pan. So, movie time!!