Friday,Sept.12,2014

We started our first day of the NTT training with an inspiring devotional by Ike on "hope" based on Isaiah 11. The teachers could really relate- their hopes for South Sudan as a peaceful and "prosperous to be" nation had been severely limited by the war in their country. The death of one our teachers also represented a big loss-- he was becoming a promising educational leader in SS schools and now they need to replace him. We spent several minutes talking and remembering this teacher and the class put together a lovely card of memories and collected funds from all of us to give to his children.

The teachers love all the handouts and materials!

We are so blessed to use this wonderful teaching facility again.

An evaluation of last year's training was discussed as well as the challenges our teachers face in implementing their training in their classrooms. Because of the war, the educational system has had very little money for new teachers let alone materials etc. Class sizes are even bigger than before due to the high influx of displaced and refugee people. Many classes have 100-160 students! It defies comprehension to be able to try to teach that many pupils ( as they call the students) let alone get to know their names!
We left for "home" with a feeling of hope despite the hardships and difficulties that our SS teachers face daily. They are so convinced that they are building for the future of their country through education. They want to do their job in the best way that they can with a Christian worldview and the best teaching practices.