This year, we are working with African Inland Mission and Tirrim Schools, training 64 Rendille teachers in Christian Worldview and ways to improve their teaching. The first session took place in May.
Tirrim Schools is located in the isolated Kaisut desert of Northern Kenya and unusual weather and severe flooding meant that many teachers faced obstacles in reaching the May training session. However, the conference was delayed by only one day and 64 teachers attended.
Nancy explains how teachers demonstrated their commitment to attend despite difficult conditions:
“One man, John, really was determined! When it became clear that a vehicle would not make it to Korr by Monday morning, John made a decision. At 3:00 am on Sunday morning, he started out walking across the desert, which has lions and hyenas (very dangerous!), waded across the river with water up to his chest, and walked on through the heat of the day, walking until evening in order to get here in time to attend. Can you even imagine the kind of person who doesn't plan an excuse, but just forges ahead and finds a way?! I'm basically in awe of him!”
The training proved to be highly successful and teachers expressed their gratitude for the opportunity. Following are some of their comments:
“It has been good to have been brought back to the truth that it is our job and privilege to serve our pupils in Christ’s name.”
“The integration of biblical worldview and the academic subject was very helpful to me, since my teaching subject was math, and I never knew how to relate God’s word to math, which I have known [learned] today.
“Classroom Management – this is a new thing I learnt and it is [needed] a great deal in the literacy programme. I have not known how to enforce consequences that will bring glory to God, but through this seminar [learned how."
“I know how to ask questions wisely and all children can listen and answer. I know what I am expecting of students, and what they are expecting of me.”
Teachers at Tirrim School have an enormous impact on the future of the Rendille people, as they teach half of the children attending school, and provide the only high school in the area. Nancy explains the dangerous alternative:
“Students who leave the area to go to secondary school have ALL been shot at on their way down-country to attend a secondary boarding school (Please, don't think some fancy school – this merely means a mattress with no electricity, little food, but the ability to attend classes!). They have to ride on top of trucks that are taking supplies in and out, and often get stopped by bandits who know that the kids will have tuition money with them. And, still the students go if classes are full at Tirrim.”
Nancy was impressed by the servant hearts of the Rendille teachers and by the warmth and tenacity of the Rendille people. She was grateful to have the opportunity to visit some tribal villages, where the extreme poverty and basic living conditions were very apparent. One of the most touching illustrations that Nancy encountered of the precious and steadfast hearts of our Rendille brothers and sisters was a visit to their church: a shelter made from thorn bushes, where many gather every Sunday to praise and worship God.
FTCSF is looking forward to returning to Tirrim schools for another two sessions with the Rendille teachers in October 2010 and September 2011.
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