I have 'unofficially, received funding for a project I am working on here in excess of $6000 USD!!! AND, this is just the beginning. The company, JQ Charles also says they are interested in providing financial support to roll out the Why Try Program in all secondary schools ISLAND WIDE!! GOIN NATIONAL BABY!!! Now, the first phase is our pilot of the program in all District II schools; that's 4 schools. This will be during the 2009 - 2010 school year. After I complete a project analysis and submit my report to them, they will decided if they are going to, 'officially', provide support to the remaining secondary schools across the nation!!! Pretty cool, huh?
You might be wondering about when my Peace Corps service will end then. Well, if all goes as planned and nothing changes (which who knows how likely that is) I may apply to extend my service for the sustainability of the project.
Showing posts with label Project Woohoos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Project Woohoos. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
No Strike Will Put Me Out of Work!
From April 27th, 2009
This is a journal entry that I meant to include in my blog about a month ago.
Today the teachers Union has another meeting with the Ministry. We will know shortly if the strike will continue. If it continues all public school children will be out of school for an indefinite period of time (until the Ministry agrees to increase the teachers salary by 7.5%).
Luckily for me and our kids, my IPP at Compre is a Seventh Day Adventist Church member. SDA members are usually discouraged from participating in strikes or any other potentially volatile political action. This includes any political action that involves slander or smear tactics; that is not to say that this dispute involves any such misconduct. In fact, the only details I really know are: a. The Ministry promised to increase the teachers’ salary by 7.5% during the strike that occurred last year; and b. Teachers did not receive their increase, as promised. Nonetheless, my community partner, although she is permitted to be part of this particular union, will still be attending school. Thankfully, this allows us to still work on the many things we set out to complete this term.
At the beginning of the term, the counselor at Compre and I created a schedule for the final term through to September when school starts again. We plan to design and facilitate a Peer Mentoring Workshop in order to train and prepare the 20 new Castries Comprehensive Peer Mentors. Peer Mentors assist new students in their adjustment to the school, especially Form 1 students, educate their peers on healthy life style choices, and are expected to be role models that provide mentoring and counsel to fellow peers.
We are also organizing a workshop for the new Prefects. Prefects are well behaved students that are selected for the purpose of managing a classroom when a teacher is absent. The Ministry of Education does not have substitute teachers on staff in the same way we do in the States. Instead, a student Prefect takes charge of the class. Their workshop will focus on school rules, class room management and conflict resolution. Then, of course, we are continuing the “Why Try?” Program. Why Try is a program that works with at-risk students to help them attain unlearned social skills necessary for positive growth and achievement. It was developed by Social Workers in the States, WooHoo!
Currently, Castries Comprehensive and Sir Ira Simmons have a total of 27 ‘at-risk’ students that are regularly attending “Why Try?” groups every week. Securing funding for additional groups for the 2009 – 2010 school year has also been in the works. I completed a rough draft of a proposal in February, and the District II counselor is still preparing the final product, which will then be sent to two different funding sources. The hope is to run a ‘formal pilot’ of the program in each of the four District II schools. Positive results will then be used to secure funding for the implementation of “Why Try?” island-wide. Even though the program has been running in Vaux Fort, the success of the program has not been empirically measured. I measured the students’ base-line level at Compre and Sir Ira but the program has not been run in a methodical way, neither under optimal conditions; obtaining all the necessary materials has been a challenge.
We will be measuring the success by collecting and analyzing the following data:
- group member, parent, and teacher surveys will help us to establish a base
line and monitor changes of particular behaviors, characteristics and basic
social functioning.
- Changes in attendance, suspension, detention, and drop-out rates
- Grades and CXC pass rates
- Observed progress in group
Additionally, some people have been asking me “What makes at kid at-risk?” In general, many different factors can put a child ‘at-risk’ in life. However, the term always needs to be considered within the context of which you are working. For example, children born in poverty are considered at-risk because they are less likely to receive a quality education, they may get involved with drugs or crime due to the different stressors of poverty, and they are more likely to be malnourished and/or go untreated for different health problems. That is just listing a few. For the purposes of “Why Try?” at-risk school children are those children that are at-risk for not completing school successfully. Since we are wanting to make the pilot as empirical as possible we will need to be specific in defining how we intend to identify at-risk children. For our use, a child is considered to be at-risk if they meet 1 or more of the following criteria:
- Poor grades in over half of the students subjects
- Having ever been suspended from school
- Poor school attendance or truancy
- Low self-esteem, as determined by teacher and counselor
- Having more than 1 school detention
- More than 1 referral to the principal’s office
- Inability to concentrate or follow instruction in the classroom, as
determined by teacher
- Scores low on social-skills survey
- Cannot identify at-least 3 adults that are supportive of them
This is a journal entry that I meant to include in my blog about a month ago.
Today the teachers Union has another meeting with the Ministry. We will know shortly if the strike will continue. If it continues all public school children will be out of school for an indefinite period of time (until the Ministry agrees to increase the teachers salary by 7.5%).
Luckily for me and our kids, my IPP at Compre is a Seventh Day Adventist Church member. SDA members are usually discouraged from participating in strikes or any other potentially volatile political action. This includes any political action that involves slander or smear tactics; that is not to say that this dispute involves any such misconduct. In fact, the only details I really know are: a. The Ministry promised to increase the teachers’ salary by 7.5% during the strike that occurred last year; and b. Teachers did not receive their increase, as promised. Nonetheless, my community partner, although she is permitted to be part of this particular union, will still be attending school. Thankfully, this allows us to still work on the many things we set out to complete this term.
At the beginning of the term, the counselor at Compre and I created a schedule for the final term through to September when school starts again. We plan to design and facilitate a Peer Mentoring Workshop in order to train and prepare the 20 new Castries Comprehensive Peer Mentors. Peer Mentors assist new students in their adjustment to the school, especially Form 1 students, educate their peers on healthy life style choices, and are expected to be role models that provide mentoring and counsel to fellow peers.
We are also organizing a workshop for the new Prefects. Prefects are well behaved students that are selected for the purpose of managing a classroom when a teacher is absent. The Ministry of Education does not have substitute teachers on staff in the same way we do in the States. Instead, a student Prefect takes charge of the class. Their workshop will focus on school rules, class room management and conflict resolution. Then, of course, we are continuing the “Why Try?” Program. Why Try is a program that works with at-risk students to help them attain unlearned social skills necessary for positive growth and achievement. It was developed by Social Workers in the States, WooHoo!
Currently, Castries Comprehensive and Sir Ira Simmons have a total of 27 ‘at-risk’ students that are regularly attending “Why Try?” groups every week. Securing funding for additional groups for the 2009 – 2010 school year has also been in the works. I completed a rough draft of a proposal in February, and the District II counselor is still preparing the final product, which will then be sent to two different funding sources. The hope is to run a ‘formal pilot’ of the program in each of the four District II schools. Positive results will then be used to secure funding for the implementation of “Why Try?” island-wide. Even though the program has been running in Vaux Fort, the success of the program has not been empirically measured. I measured the students’ base-line level at Compre and Sir Ira but the program has not been run in a methodical way, neither under optimal conditions; obtaining all the necessary materials has been a challenge.
We will be measuring the success by collecting and analyzing the following data:
- group member, parent, and teacher surveys will help us to establish a base
line and monitor changes of particular behaviors, characteristics and basic
social functioning.
- Changes in attendance, suspension, detention, and drop-out rates
- Grades and CXC pass rates
- Observed progress in group
Additionally, some people have been asking me “What makes at kid at-risk?” In general, many different factors can put a child ‘at-risk’ in life. However, the term always needs to be considered within the context of which you are working. For example, children born in poverty are considered at-risk because they are less likely to receive a quality education, they may get involved with drugs or crime due to the different stressors of poverty, and they are more likely to be malnourished and/or go untreated for different health problems. That is just listing a few. For the purposes of “Why Try?” at-risk school children are those children that are at-risk for not completing school successfully. Since we are wanting to make the pilot as empirical as possible we will need to be specific in defining how we intend to identify at-risk children. For our use, a child is considered to be at-risk if they meet 1 or more of the following criteria:
- Poor grades in over half of the students subjects
- Having ever been suspended from school
- Poor school attendance or truancy
- Low self-esteem, as determined by teacher and counselor
- Having more than 1 school detention
- More than 1 referral to the principal’s office
- Inability to concentrate or follow instruction in the classroom, as
determined by teacher
- Scores low on social-skills survey
- Cannot identify at-least 3 adults that are supportive of them
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Peace Corps Expo
March 15th, 2009
Haley, another Peace Corps Volunteer has taken the lead in putting together a committee to design a Peace Corps Expo. We had our first committee meeting yesterday to brainstorm ideas for the expo. The idea is to hold the expo in Castries in a high traffic area. We want to introduce people to what Peace Corps is, what our goals are, what the volunteers do, past and present sustainable projects, and have a cross cultural experience.
Haley, another Peace Corps Volunteer has taken the lead in putting together a committee to design a Peace Corps Expo. We had our first committee meeting yesterday to brainstorm ideas for the expo. The idea is to hold the expo in Castries in a high traffic area. We want to introduce people to what Peace Corps is, what our goals are, what the volunteers do, past and present sustainable projects, and have a cross cultural experience.
Racism
Tuesday March 12th, 2009
My Why Try? Groups are running more smoothly this week. Sometimes all these kids need is someone that will relate to their potential, relentlessly. To many times teachers, parents, and other adults only see the troublesome side of adolescents. They need an adult that wont give-up on them, just the same way we try to tell them to never give-up on life.
I must tell you, I think a large portion of their respect is greatly related to how I dealt with a situation that occurred 2 weeks ago. In the middle of session 2 of the girls commented back and forth about how they have white people. This was my first experience in St. Lucia of blatant racism. When the comments came I was stunned. I was so upset that I couldn’t even process the comments and just brushed over them as if they didn’t even occur. Later that day we called the two students to the office to address the comments. Strangely enough, both students were surprised to hear I was upset by the comments. At first, I attempted to put them in my shoes by asking them how it would make them feel if I said “I hate black people.” Both students were confident that it wouldn’t matter to them. Dormillia, my community counterpart had to help me understand that most St. Lucians have never experienced racism and because St. Lucia is a black nation, such remarks against black people have little power and are not seen as a threat.
I spoke with the students about the climate of racism in America and how it is very offensive to make such comments. I talked to them about the dangers of lumping people together according to race and how that is the attitude that lead to enslavement of black people. The girls responded that they were not talking about me, but about “White white people.” I asked each of the girls if they have ever had a white friend or known a white person before. Both stated that they have never even had one conversation with a white person before me. They hear stories about white people and from that know that all white people only want to come to St. Lucia to take their money and kick the people on the street. Neither of the girls had ever directly experienced either. I told them that I do not support acts of hate against St. Lucians or any black people and encouraged them to try to make a judgments of people based more on their personal experience rather than the stories they hear from other people. I let them know that they are welcome to speak to me and ask me questions anytime they want.
Last week Dormillia and I spoke with the entire group about the comments that were made the previous week and let them know there is no tolerance for hateful comments in Why Try? Clearly, my response to the situation gained their respect.
My Why Try? Groups are running more smoothly this week. Sometimes all these kids need is someone that will relate to their potential, relentlessly. To many times teachers, parents, and other adults only see the troublesome side of adolescents. They need an adult that wont give-up on them, just the same way we try to tell them to never give-up on life.
I must tell you, I think a large portion of their respect is greatly related to how I dealt with a situation that occurred 2 weeks ago. In the middle of session 2 of the girls commented back and forth about how they have white people. This was my first experience in St. Lucia of blatant racism. When the comments came I was stunned. I was so upset that I couldn’t even process the comments and just brushed over them as if they didn’t even occur. Later that day we called the two students to the office to address the comments. Strangely enough, both students were surprised to hear I was upset by the comments. At first, I attempted to put them in my shoes by asking them how it would make them feel if I said “I hate black people.” Both students were confident that it wouldn’t matter to them. Dormillia, my community counterpart had to help me understand that most St. Lucians have never experienced racism and because St. Lucia is a black nation, such remarks against black people have little power and are not seen as a threat.
I spoke with the students about the climate of racism in America and how it is very offensive to make such comments. I talked to them about the dangers of lumping people together according to race and how that is the attitude that lead to enslavement of black people. The girls responded that they were not talking about me, but about “White white people.” I asked each of the girls if they have ever had a white friend or known a white person before. Both stated that they have never even had one conversation with a white person before me. They hear stories about white people and from that know that all white people only want to come to St. Lucia to take their money and kick the people on the street. Neither of the girls had ever directly experienced either. I told them that I do not support acts of hate against St. Lucians or any black people and encouraged them to try to make a judgments of people based more on their personal experience rather than the stories they hear from other people. I let them know that they are welcome to speak to me and ask me questions anytime they want.
Last week Dormillia and I spoke with the entire group about the comments that were made the previous week and let them know there is no tolerance for hateful comments in Why Try? Clearly, my response to the situation gained their respect.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Life Keeps Movin' Mon
Bonjou from St. Lucia everyone!
Things are going well here under the sunny skies of St. Lucia. I will give you an update as to the latest happenings.
First – I am moving from Babonneau to Marisul! After 4 months of living in a house that is part of a tire shop, has men around a lot, is continuous mosquito infestations from the mosquitoes breeding in the tires, always has water problems, and is never quiet I am finally relocating to a more comfortable location! Sad thing is…. Now I am a little attached to Babonneau! The little kids holler out “Ms. Ashley, Ms. Ashley” as I walk by sometimes; there are several projects in the Babonneau community that are of interest to me; and it just feels like home now. Of course I will miss my lovely sunset spot too! Since I am up in the hills, I get to see the sun rise and fall. There is a log at the edge of the field by my house and it has become my sunset spot on many occasions now.
On a positive note, my new place is not only walking distance from work, BUT the beach is only a 5 minute walk away as well!! Isn’t that super fantastic!
I will give you the pros and cons of my of leaving my current place
Pros:
Get out of tire shop
- smell
- men
- noise
- mosquitoes
more privacy at new place
will be near work
- save money on bus fare
- get more exercise
will be near beach
- get more exercise
will be on a main bus line
- easier to get home at night
- save money on bus fare
Can have a dog at new place
Cons:
Lose fruits on property
Lose microwave
Lose hot water
Lose TV
Not as convenient to work in Babonneau
From all of that, I chose to move.
Second Ting – I am still doing steel pan on Saturdays and hiking on Sundays. Last week I hiked a mountain called Piton Flore and this past Sunday we went snorkeling. I finally got to use the snorkel gear mommy and daddy sent, and it was GREAT! Now, you all know how curious I am about EVERYTHING, yeah? Well, during our first 7 weeks of Peace Corps training we had a whole session on “Things That Sting”. Of course, sea urchins were on that list. Sea Urchins are those cute prickly black things that grow between the coral rocks in the ocean. They look kinda like those prickly toy scrunch balls… yet pokeyer (don’t you just love making up new words?). Well, I made the crazy decision to pet, yes I say PET, a sea urchin while snorkeling this past Sunday. The first one I tried to pet was a little guy and I got a feel on him but nothing I was satisfied with. I found me a larger fella and swam down for a soft brush over his spines. “OUCH! HE BITES” The larger guy wasn’t so happy to have me messin’ with his arms and legs. So, a sea urchin sting hurts a bit, but it’s not gonna kill ya. One of my friends responses to the sting was, “I like that about you, you truly live” She said, “It’s like that saying, denying yourself any part of life through fear is not living.” For true, for ture!
Third Ting – My projects… My “Why Try?” Program is making much progress. I hope to have the funding proposal submitted by the end of the week. Junior Achievement with the younger kids is fantastic. They get so excited to see me; stickers really do go a long way! My HIV/AIDS project is progressing in Babonneau. For the ropes course thing, I hope to be work more on that in the near future.
I am really starting to settle into my work. Although there are days that are frustrating and I ask myself, “and why am I doing this for free,” most days are rewarding. I know that I am having an impact on the men, women, and children around me. Through working here in St. Lucia, I have realized though that the impact of the work I do back home as a social worker is no less valuable than the work I do here. All places have their struggles. People everywhere need support from others and assistance making it to the next level. It looks the same here and there, and people respond the same to the help here as they do there. We are one!
Fourth and Final Ting – This entry wouldn’t be complete without another random story right? The other night 4 of us were driving down the road when we spotted an opossum crossing the road. The driver slams on his break and my other friend is jumping out of the car before it’s even come to a complete stop. In one snatch, he grabs up the opossum by the end of its tail. I’m right on his heals because I had never seen an opossum up close before. Then as cars drive by my two Lucian friends start shouting things in Patois. It took me a moment to realize that they were trying to see the opossum! My friend, who is also an American girl, and I watched while laughing hysterically at the situation. I wish I had my camera on me. My friend took a couple of photos with her pocket camera. No one wanted to buy the opossum for $80 EC so the boys decide they are going to try and sell the little guy to the shop down the road. My friend gets in the car, arm hanging out the window, holding fast to the opossum. I couldn’t get over myself! It was the funniest sight, indeed! Nonetheless… the shop owner wasn’t in and some other guy ended up taking him with a promise to pay for him later.
Things are going well here under the sunny skies of St. Lucia. I will give you an update as to the latest happenings.
First – I am moving from Babonneau to Marisul! After 4 months of living in a house that is part of a tire shop, has men around a lot, is continuous mosquito infestations from the mosquitoes breeding in the tires, always has water problems, and is never quiet I am finally relocating to a more comfortable location! Sad thing is…. Now I am a little attached to Babonneau! The little kids holler out “Ms. Ashley, Ms. Ashley” as I walk by sometimes; there are several projects in the Babonneau community that are of interest to me; and it just feels like home now. Of course I will miss my lovely sunset spot too! Since I am up in the hills, I get to see the sun rise and fall. There is a log at the edge of the field by my house and it has become my sunset spot on many occasions now.
On a positive note, my new place is not only walking distance from work, BUT the beach is only a 5 minute walk away as well!! Isn’t that super fantastic!
I will give you the pros and cons of my of leaving my current place
Pros:
Get out of tire shop
- smell
- men
- noise
- mosquitoes
more privacy at new place
will be near work
- save money on bus fare
- get more exercise
will be near beach
- get more exercise
will be on a main bus line
- easier to get home at night
- save money on bus fare
Can have a dog at new place
Cons:
Lose fruits on property
Lose microwave
Lose hot water
Lose TV
Not as convenient to work in Babonneau
From all of that, I chose to move.
Second Ting – I am still doing steel pan on Saturdays and hiking on Sundays. Last week I hiked a mountain called Piton Flore and this past Sunday we went snorkeling. I finally got to use the snorkel gear mommy and daddy sent, and it was GREAT! Now, you all know how curious I am about EVERYTHING, yeah? Well, during our first 7 weeks of Peace Corps training we had a whole session on “Things That Sting”. Of course, sea urchins were on that list. Sea Urchins are those cute prickly black things that grow between the coral rocks in the ocean. They look kinda like those prickly toy scrunch balls… yet pokeyer (don’t you just love making up new words?). Well, I made the crazy decision to pet, yes I say PET, a sea urchin while snorkeling this past Sunday. The first one I tried to pet was a little guy and I got a feel on him but nothing I was satisfied with. I found me a larger fella and swam down for a soft brush over his spines. “OUCH! HE BITES” The larger guy wasn’t so happy to have me messin’ with his arms and legs. So, a sea urchin sting hurts a bit, but it’s not gonna kill ya. One of my friends responses to the sting was, “I like that about you, you truly live” She said, “It’s like that saying, denying yourself any part of life through fear is not living.” For true, for ture!
Third Ting – My projects… My “Why Try?” Program is making much progress. I hope to have the funding proposal submitted by the end of the week. Junior Achievement with the younger kids is fantastic. They get so excited to see me; stickers really do go a long way! My HIV/AIDS project is progressing in Babonneau. For the ropes course thing, I hope to be work more on that in the near future.
I am really starting to settle into my work. Although there are days that are frustrating and I ask myself, “and why am I doing this for free,” most days are rewarding. I know that I am having an impact on the men, women, and children around me. Through working here in St. Lucia, I have realized though that the impact of the work I do back home as a social worker is no less valuable than the work I do here. All places have their struggles. People everywhere need support from others and assistance making it to the next level. It looks the same here and there, and people respond the same to the help here as they do there. We are one!
Fourth and Final Ting – This entry wouldn’t be complete without another random story right? The other night 4 of us were driving down the road when we spotted an opossum crossing the road. The driver slams on his break and my other friend is jumping out of the car before it’s even come to a complete stop. In one snatch, he grabs up the opossum by the end of its tail. I’m right on his heals because I had never seen an opossum up close before. Then as cars drive by my two Lucian friends start shouting things in Patois. It took me a moment to realize that they were trying to see the opossum! My friend, who is also an American girl, and I watched while laughing hysterically at the situation. I wish I had my camera on me. My friend took a couple of photos with her pocket camera. No one wanted to buy the opossum for $80 EC so the boys decide they are going to try and sell the little guy to the shop down the road. My friend gets in the car, arm hanging out the window, holding fast to the opossum. I couldn’t get over myself! It was the funniest sight, indeed! Nonetheless… the shop owner wasn’t in and some other guy ended up taking him with a promise to pay for him later.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Benefit of Why Try
Entry from 2.4.09
I’m at American Drywall, the building Elaine’s office is in. She works for the Chamber of Commerce. We are about to walk down to a Chinese restaurant, if you can really call it Chinese, down the way for lunch. I just facilitated my 3rd “Why Try?” group at Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School. The participants are in form 2 & 3, which is the same as grades 8 & 9 in the U.S. I am working with them on using positive motivation to overcome challenges in their life. Running groups in St. Lucia is significantly different than the groups I have run back home. Like I have said before, counseling is a new concept in St. Lucia. I think that the study of psychology has transferred the value of self-reflection and introspection into main-stream society in the states. In St. Lucia, it seems to be something that only a minority practice. Introspection requires a certain degree of critical thinking, and these skills develop at an even later stage of life in St. Lucia. Critical thinking is not nurtured in the same way here. I find that the young girls, especially, are not accustomed to reflecting on their feelings, thoughts, and actions. When I ask them questions about their thoughts and feelings, they have a difficult time verbalizing them what they might have been feeling or thinking in a situation. It follows then, that they have difficulty understanding how their thoughts, feelings and actions influence one another. Nevertheless, I know, at the least, that these girls will benefit from the “Why Try?” Program because it will develop their ability to reflect on their own thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Furthermore, they will develop a habit of processing and understanding the affect they have on situations that occur in their own lives
I’m at American Drywall, the building Elaine’s office is in. She works for the Chamber of Commerce. We are about to walk down to a Chinese restaurant, if you can really call it Chinese, down the way for lunch. I just facilitated my 3rd “Why Try?” group at Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School. The participants are in form 2 & 3, which is the same as grades 8 & 9 in the U.S. I am working with them on using positive motivation to overcome challenges in their life. Running groups in St. Lucia is significantly different than the groups I have run back home. Like I have said before, counseling is a new concept in St. Lucia. I think that the study of psychology has transferred the value of self-reflection and introspection into main-stream society in the states. In St. Lucia, it seems to be something that only a minority practice. Introspection requires a certain degree of critical thinking, and these skills develop at an even later stage of life in St. Lucia. Critical thinking is not nurtured in the same way here. I find that the young girls, especially, are not accustomed to reflecting on their feelings, thoughts, and actions. When I ask them questions about their thoughts and feelings, they have a difficult time verbalizing them what they might have been feeling or thinking in a situation. It follows then, that they have difficulty understanding how their thoughts, feelings and actions influence one another. Nevertheless, I know, at the least, that these girls will benefit from the “Why Try?” Program because it will develop their ability to reflect on their own thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Furthermore, they will develop a habit of processing and understanding the affect they have on situations that occur in their own lives
Sunday, January 25, 2009
FINALLY!
(written 1.19.09)
In two days I run my first two “Why Try?” groups at SISSS. WISH ME LUCK!!
Getting approval for funding from the bursar at Sir Ira hasn’t really been a problem at all. However, things are delaying at CCSS and funding has been a huge problem… and it is the more highly ranked school. Huh!
In two days I run my first two “Why Try?” groups at SISSS. WISH ME LUCK!!
Getting approval for funding from the bursar at Sir Ira hasn’t really been a problem at all. However, things are delaying at CCSS and funding has been a huge problem… and it is the more highly ranked school. Huh!
Ropes Course
(Written1.16.09)
I went with Cliff today to view the land that he and his wife want to put a ropes course on. Actually, their vision is even larger than just a ropes course. His wife developed a non-profit organization called HOPE that is currently pitching its proposal to the ministry of education. They will be delivering educational opportunities to children that live in poverty. Kids that enter their program at the primary school level will receive free tutoring by trained teachers, shoes to go to school in, and lunches on the school lunch programs. They will also attend camps over the school breaks, where they will get to receive additional tutoring and test preparation in various subjects from math and English to foreign language and mechanics. In addition the kids will get to attend a summer wilderness camp at the ropes course where they will work on building life skills, self-esteem, confidence, and team-work. The first phase of the program will be launched in September when school starts (including the shoes, lunch and tutoring).
I have been in touch with some companies that help design ropes courses in the states and they all seem willing to help out in any way they can. I am getting a good feel for what it takes to develop and maintain a course. Very interesting, very interesting in deed. Nevertheless, it looks like my summer work is cut out for me. Hand me a cutlass and lets go clear the land!
I went with Cliff today to view the land that he and his wife want to put a ropes course on. Actually, their vision is even larger than just a ropes course. His wife developed a non-profit organization called HOPE that is currently pitching its proposal to the ministry of education. They will be delivering educational opportunities to children that live in poverty. Kids that enter their program at the primary school level will receive free tutoring by trained teachers, shoes to go to school in, and lunches on the school lunch programs. They will also attend camps over the school breaks, where they will get to receive additional tutoring and test preparation in various subjects from math and English to foreign language and mechanics. In addition the kids will get to attend a summer wilderness camp at the ropes course where they will work on building life skills, self-esteem, confidence, and team-work. The first phase of the program will be launched in September when school starts (including the shoes, lunch and tutoring).
I have been in touch with some companies that help design ropes courses in the states and they all seem willing to help out in any way they can. I am getting a good feel for what it takes to develop and maintain a course. Very interesting, very interesting in deed. Nevertheless, it looks like my summer work is cut out for me. Hand me a cutlass and lets go clear the land!
Project Funding
(written 1.15.09)
Today and executive of JQ companies offered to fund the “Why Try?” program that I am running at CCSS and SISSS. Now all I need to do is write a project proposal! Piece of cake, ya? Very Very Exciting! We are hoping to expand to the other secondary schools as well! He says that the project is just the thing JQ Companies is looking to support, and that the funding can be rolled out in stages. Woohoo!
Today and executive of JQ companies offered to fund the “Why Try?” program that I am running at CCSS and SISSS. Now all I need to do is write a project proposal! Piece of cake, ya? Very Very Exciting! We are hoping to expand to the other secondary schools as well! He says that the project is just the thing JQ Companies is looking to support, and that the funding can be rolled out in stages. Woohoo!
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