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Well, I am sitting on the airplane several thousand feet up on the first leg of our journey home. The coming and going is the least favorite part for all of us!
We spent the morning tooling around the capital city of Liberia, Monrovia. That was an adventure! I am so glad that I don't have to drive in that traffic! Narrow streets, and no real traffic control systems make for a very nerve racking trip! It was fun to see the different government buildings around, and the little bit of progress that has been made since the end of the war. Clearly evident was the over riding poverty and destruction of property caused by the prolonged civil war. Much remains to be done in this country full of picturesque landscape and people marred by war.
Becky arranged for a tailor to come to the guest house and make several of us African style dresses with the material we purchased at 'P' market. I am looking forward to wearing it; it should be fun! I of course had to accessorize it, and was able to do so while at the same time supporting a group working to teach African women a trade which will enable them to make a 'decent' living. Visiting Africa really makes you realize that the term is relative!
Now to offer a few more details of our main purpose for being in Liberia, the phonics workshop. On the last day we post tested our group of teachers on the spelling list given the first day, and to our delight, most made significant gains in only 9 days! They were also tested on the 70 phonograms. This was a little more difficult for them since they had to write the sound when it was spoken. Even so, we had about a third of the group that we would consider 'proficient' and able to assist their classmates and other teachers in their schools. Since this is an entirely new concept to all of them, and a new way to have been taught the mechanics of reading, we were pleased with the results. They have much work still to do, but they now have the tool with which to do it. It is now necessary for these educators to take ownership, and use the information given to benefit themselves and their students. LTL is of course adding little incentives the teachers and schools can earn to help encourage implementation; most of us need that carrot dangling in front of us after all!
As a neat side note: the Randy Godfrey School, which is associated with the orphanage we visited, had all but two of their teachers participate in the phonics workshop. They were some of the neatest and most enthused of the whole group. We are eagerly watching what happens at that school that serves the poorest of the poor! How great would it be to see that population of students grow into some of the greatest leaders of Liberia.
Much to process and think after a trip such as this!
I actually almost cried the very last day when the teachers gave us each a gift for coming and teaching them! Their appreciation of our being there was almost overwhelming! Knowing that the gift they gave was a sacrificial one, was one of the most humbling experiences of my life!
Much to process and consider on a trip such as this. I am sure I will do so for the next several months!
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