Royal Prep accepts donated books and supplies...

Three years ago, the summer of 2007 i visited Apam.  Many of us came with gifts of school supplies and books.  The chief wanted us to present the items to the school when it opened back up for session in September.  Unfortunately, that year we weren't able to present at that time because we were all due to be back in the states.  So the chief held on to the items for the following year of 2008 to have at least one of us present the items.  Although i was there again, I to was unable to present because it was the vacation months of school.  Well, the chief held on to the books and supplies another whole year till someone could come and present them to the school.  I thought this was great!  So i made it a point to come back this summer of 2009 and present the items to the school during the actual school session in Apam.  The items were there so long that Nana had forgotten where some of the items were.  When he found the items himself, he brought them down to Royal Prep School for me to finally present to the kids and staff.  Nana Apaa (Chief of Apam) wanted the students to see those who had a part in giving to them.  This was a good lesson for me and the students.  Mr. Quaye happily shook my hand and accepted the gifts and was so thankful.  You can see some of the kids reading the books before we were set up to take the picture.  There were many stories to read from the sciences to slavery in America.  The kids couldn't wait to start using the materials.  I loved seeing the students eager to read the books.  I know this experience will go a long way with them.  

Continuing the lesson in Apam...Learning to Love Snakes!!

The lesson began with examining what background knowledge do the students have about their own environment.  Many of them knew the impacts of Malaria and how an unkept environment can promote the spreading of Malaria.  They also understood how important it is to keep areas clean and clear of any debris near where they live and interact.  I believe a student is best at thinking when forced to deal with real situations that incorporate many of the various academic standards.  In this lesson, we were able to integrate speaking and listening skills with math/science and character education. The students got to see how making a small impact positively in their environment can improve living conditions for the marine life and the fishing community there in Apam. Afterward i assessed what the students had learned orally.  They each explained to me what the impact was and why its important to be conscious of their environment. They did a good job!        After the trip we all went our separate ways back to our homes and friends.  I know this lesson has left an impression on these students to think more about their living environment and to think of ways to improve it to benefit all citizens in Apam.  

Lastly, some hung around and walked me to the market.  We stopped near a market woman selling items and asked her if she ate "Snake Stew with Banku".  She quickly replied, "No!" while laughing with concern.  She looked at me as if to say, "Are you CRAZY!" It was a funny dialogue between us.  I was trying to make a point to the kids that if they killed a snake in the field they should eat it.  So as many snakes are killed in Ghana, i'm sure the people eat some sort of Snake Stew, right?  Most in Apam are afraid of snakes for their poisonous bites and will kill them from the mere sight of them.  Many become very ill and some even die from snake bites.  So the fear of snakes from some is understood.  However; it's not the snakes fault that if it were hunting a mouse or rat and happens to come across a compound with people on it that it should be killed.  After all, the snake is not hunting people, its hunting the mouse.  With this small lesson I was driving home the point that the snakes on the planet, no matter how dangerous they may seem to humans, have a purpose as well and deserve to live out their natural lives as hunters of mice and other rodents that spread diseases.  So this one may take awhile for these students to grasp and that is, "The Love of Snakes!".  :) I was very impressed with these young future scientists and leaders i had in front of me.  They all expressed the desire to learn new things and take on challenging task to help their environment.    

A Lesson in the Life Sciences in Apam

When we think of new technologies and world development, we can't ignore the impact these advancements have on our community environments.  From the excess of un-contained trash to air pollution and diseases, as humans we can all be affected by these advancements if we are not careful on how we implement technology in our environments.  Today's lesson in Apam is on ecology.  My goal was to help the students understand and examine their role as inhabitants of a living environment, and how in small ways they can preserve the environment in which they live.  We started out with a small lesson in the classroom and then we took it outside to see the very space they occupy around the school.  I wanted the students to make a connection to how they can preserve their own lives by preserving their environment in small ways.  I said each plastic water bag they picked up and dispose of properly will preserve their lives by 12 minutes.  I used this example so the students can calculate how long they can live by how many plastic bags they find and dispose of.  I could see the eagerness in their eyes on taking on the challenge in picking up the bags.  After the lesson, we decided to put our learning to work in the real environment.  I told them as young scientist, they can examine for themselves the impact trash can have on a community.  So we decided to go on a field trip to the beach to apply what we learned.  This lesson has two parts in it.  There is a piece on life science that identifies a problem and provides a solution to make the environment better.  The last piece is development on their character as students and citizens.  Yes, taking a position on improving your environment shows that you care and have a natural respect for mother nature and people's well being.  So taking a holistic approach in education gave the students a deeper meaning in the "Why" they were doing this activity.   This field trip challenged the students to look head on into their own community and find solutions to improve it even if they did it in small ways.  Take a look at these young scientist from the Royal Preparatory School in Apam at work learning and applying what they learned in their own community.  They got the point of the lesson! The rest of the  videos will be on the next post...       

Kof Town! The Liberty Specialist Institute

Last week on the 23^rd of July I visited a wonderful vocational senior high school called “Liberty Specialist Institute” in Koforidua aka “Kof Town”.  On my way to Koforidua from Accra I came across a small town called Aburi where the wife of Bob Marley, “Rita Marley” lives.  Her house looks beautiful sitting there with its vibrant colors on the mountain side.  Finally reaching my destination, Mrs. Reverend Edna Ametameh, President of Liberty Educational Foundation met a number of us with open arms when we arrived to speak to the students.

Just the week before on the 18^th the graduating class of 2009 celebrated their completion of academic studies.  The students asked interesting questions like, “Do your students have to wear uniforms?”, “What subjects are taught at your school?”, and “Do you have any stubborn students?”. To me though, no matter how stubborn a student can be here in Africa, these are some of the most respectful students I have seen. “Of course we have stubborn students.” I replied. There were many more questions that I could answer right on the spot.  I even asked a question myself.  “Who got caned today!?” was what I asked.  In the states where i am from, the students no longer get what’s known as corporal punishment within the schools.  In Africa they do.  No wonder across the board in all schools that I visited, I saw the most respectful kids from primary to senior high school.  Sure, kids make mistakes around the world but when it came to respecting teachers and reverence, I noticed African students take the cake.  Character Education here in the schools is integrated within the curriculum.  Respect, humility, honor, and respect of elders and etc. are taught.  Aside from that, i asked a question myself.  I figured since this is high school, no one should be getting caned here, right? Check out the video!

Something Obama didn't do in Ghana!!

This week of Obama's arrival was a glorious one. Everyone here in Ghana was excited that the US President was coming to Ghana for his visit! From infants to Elders, the country was dancing and singing praises to Obama. Even i got a little excited from the Hysteria. Really though, i like Obama and what he stands for globally for all communities. But this summer i managed to run into Obama's Hellicopters traveling to Cape Coast while i was on the beach in Apam. My friends and I were watching Obama pass through on his way to Cape Coast Slave casltes. We were all excited. We even waved at him while we were on the beach in Apam. I just couldn't let it go though. I have been to Ghana 3 times and felt that i was the best guy here to give him a tour! Ha ha:) Aha! I thought, there is something that Obama hasn't done in Ghana. He has never slept at an original Slave Castle. I felt i could top him with this one and brave out the night along with my ancestors of the past. Yes i slept at Fort Patience Slave Castle in Apam! It was built by the Dutch in 1697. Now a resting home for visitors since the late 1700's. Well Obama, it looks like i got you on this one. Next summer maybe you can come stay with me in the slave castle here in Apam my new home! We won't need the secret service, the ancestors will protect us, so don't worry.
Peace and Blessings yall!!!

Royal Prepatory School in APAM! ! !

On this visit, i had a chance to meet Mr. Hayford Quaye of Apam. He is the brother of the chief of Apam Nana Apaa and Owner of the two schools. His school is the #1 school in academics in the Apam region. I was particularly impressed with this school because of the conditions it exist in. The land that it resides in gets very wet in the rainy season. This school has been opened for over 25 years. Mr. Quaye manages a primary and junior high school for kids at this same site. I had a chance to meet both schools and speak with the kids. I introduced myself and told them instead of having a pen pal from the US, they can have what i call "Video Pals". This is where the kids would ask questions to my students in the US and my students will respond back via internet. (This will come on a later post) I was also able to answer many of the questions they had as well about teaching and our school system. They were all excited and ready to ask some of their most interesting questions. I was able to observe that although being in a 3rd world country, these students here in Apam have some of the same interests as my students in the US. (Video Games, Sports, and Academics) We had a wonderful time and by the end of my visit i managed to fall in a big puddle! Ha ha! No problem, i was able to change and claimed this fall an initiation in the city of Apam! I had a wonderful time. This was also the day President Obama visited cape coast and gave his speech. The kids were all excited and shouted out Obama's name! I thought Obama may be visiting the school they were so excited. With Mr. Quaye's help, we will begin an environment clean up project in the beach area of Apam. Apam is the home of many long time and experienced fisherman and has an original slave castle named "Fort Patience" in existence since 1697. Mr. Quaye will begin a clean up project with his students for the beach, urging that a clean environment outside of the waters will produce cleaner waters for Apam. He and his students have already been cleaning the inner city on occasion. Teaching the students early about keeping their city clean will bring awareness not only to new visiters but also to its community members. Way to go Royal Prep! Keep up the good work! We will see more of Royal Prep in August...

My Redeemer School in Ghana

I had a chance to visit a 2nd grade class in Ghana at "My Redeemer School" The teacher's name is Miss Rebecca Ocloo. Although this was a last minute visit, the administrator and owner of the school accommodated my wishes to take pictures and videos of the class. I especially loved this class because it reminded me of when i began my first teaching assignment in San Diego at Nubia Leadership Academy (A Christian School at Bayview Baptist). I taught the 2nd grade class. I had the most fun with these little guys! Miss Ocloo let me start off with a read aloud called the Ant and the Bird. After the reading I asked some comprehension questions that led to the students writing the answers in their books. The kids were well behaved and carried on a fine tradition of learning at My Redeemer School. This Wednesday, 7/8/09 I will be joining the school again and visiting the upper grades at the junior high level. This is when i will take the opportunity for these students to communicate via videos and/or writing to our students in the U.S. Since i teach at the High School level now, i am interested in what kinds of questions these students may have for my students. It should be interesting. Making friends through education can create long lasting partnerships that can benefit both groups. Our kids in the US are interested in what happens in Africa and likewise the students in Africa are interested in what happens in classrooms in America. So look for the next post from "My Redeemer School". It should be a cool one. I want to thank Miss Ocloo and the school for their time and support.