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!