World Vision Workshops

Before the last break our students took, in early April, Betsy and I had visitors to the TRC. Teachers and administrators from villages outside of Agogo came to see the Agogo Presbyterian College of Education campus. This teachers, administrators, and students(primary-middle school) were able to see the TRC and hear about what we do. Betsy and I met also met a gentleman named Jonathan from an organization called World Vision. World Vision offices are throughout Ghana, and we have one down the road from us in Agogo. We discussed visited these village schools and hosting workshops for these teachers.

Jonathan was so easy to work with and arranged a trip to take use to seven of the schools of this farming communities. We were able to discuss with the teachers their needs and see their schools progress on utilizing TLMs. Some classes rooms held multiple posters and English labels for "door", "window", etc- while other schools held classes outside under a basic shelter with no walls. After meeting with teachers and administrators we decided that we would come back to a school in their community to teach a three hour workshop for schools in the surrounding areas. We asked teachers to bring rubbish to help in the creation of their own TLMs and ideas for topics of which their students are having difficulty.

When Jonathan and I returned to Magyeda on June 2 (Betsy had to visit a cocoa farm the same day...so we had to split up) teacher had done their homework! We had a great turn out of 22 motivated and attentive teachers.

The teacher above created a number line with positive and negative integers
from pieces of a cardboard box

All of the men, there were no female teachers in the area, worked hard to create one of more TLMs to take away from the workshop. I was amazed at the variety, creativity, and usability of the items made. This was the best workshop I did in the 9 months I have been in Ghana. I am so lucky we made this partnership with World Vision.

A teacher at the workshop breaks out a saw to get the job done!

On June 3rd Betsy, Jonathan, Stella (his associate) and myself ventured to Ananekrom for another beneficial workshop. We had a great turnout and were able to leave behind rubbish for TLMs in the future (examples: cardboard boxes for puzzles, waterbags for pocket charts, etc). I am thrilled by the positive feedback we received and hope that the next IFESH volunteer continues to strengthen the bond we have created with World Vision Agogo.

My partner, Jonathan, from World Vision
is pictures in the red and blue stripes to the left.