News 2007
· November 2007 – News from Bartholomew
Good morning,
L’AAEF and the functioning of schools: The “Association pour l’Amelioration des ecole du Foyer” met at its general assembly last weekend to examine and discuss issues affecting the schools under its jurisdiction. Issues for determination: The goals of the association is the make sure that education is given to the rural masses, particularly the poor and the under privilege. They observed that most parents could not afford to the fees in the past year. Less than 30 % of the amount expected as fees was received in most of the schools. As a consequent they faced a serious crisis and could not pay their teachers.
David:
I have taken some of the apartment construction money for David fees and study material as you suggested. He like the mechanic trade and seems to be more devoted and committed to it.
Haoua:
Haoua is not living with Madam so far. She is with us at the institute. However, she prefers Madam Ratoide. From my observation I will like to change my previous opinion that she live with madam Idjima.
Her sewing will be transported to madam today. For now I have allowed her to sit in class with others so to learn a few things since she has nothing doing at home. She will start sewing classes with other girls next Monday.
Djimtobaye:
He was at Manda last evening to plead that he wants to go to school. He will like WHISCA to help him go back to school because he doesn’t like sewing any more. I informed him of your decision.
Other issues:
The case of The French NGO involved in child trafficking in the Darfur region continues to dominate public life and opinion here and authorities are becoming more suspicious with the activities of NGO operating in Chad. I am sure you must have been following up this issue in the news.
· 2007 DEVELOPMENT REPORT
HEARTFELT THANKS TO ALL THOSE WILLING HEARTS THAT MADE THIS YEAR’S WORK POSSIBLE!
Geraldine Graber — Coordinator of Development
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Bartholomew Mokuh Njizokokeh, first successful university scholarship, graduated from Buea University, Cameroon with a BA in English/Education. in July, 2007. He has returned to Manda 1, Chad to take the position of principal of the WHISCA community school, Le Nouveau Jardin and Le Centre de l’Étude. Djimtogbaye, Eléazard, and Haoua Allarabaye were in Cameroon in 2006/07 to provide them with safe housing and education during the civil war.
- Haoua, 12, graduated with a first prize from her sewing course and was interviewed in French (her native language is Sara) by a television reporter. Haoua will be the village sewing instructor with her new sewing machine, her prize from WHISCA.
- Eléazard lives with Bartholomew in a hostel.in Manda 1 and is continuing his secondary education in Sarh (he travels by bus).
- Grace, 19, has gone to live in a remote village with her husband and baby.
- Tog, 22 and the oldest of the family, is now successful in his sewing business in the Sarh district. Djimtogbaye, 17, completed two semesters of tailor training in Cameroon and returned to Chad in March to help Tog;
— SCHOOL
- Construction on hold since 2005 while funds were collected for a CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) grant proposal with a minimum contribution of $25,000.
CURRENT
- Construct an apartment adjoining the school for the principal.
- Award mechanic scholarship to David Allarabaye for $360.
- Provide 15 double desks for level five class.
- Provide supplemental stipends to teachers to make up for loss of fees through our scholarship programme.
- Provide solar lighting for evening literacy classes for 124 women and 14 men.
- Submit CIDA grant proposal.
FUTURE
- Continue school construction to include junior high school to grade 10, a library/sewing room, and a storage facility.
- Deepen and enclose the school well.
- Begin an agricultural programme to provide more food.
- Begin a water-purification marketing project.
- Begin solar-cooker construction.
- Construct batch waterless toilet facilities.
- Train literacy tutors in effective methods.
- Begin health education classes.
- Begin microfinancing for local small businesses.
· November, 2007
"for the child who has everything" a stocking stuffer heart available from WHISCA with the amount on it that was donated for them to a Chad child for school supplies. Email whisca@shaw.ca for more information!
· November, 2007
Welcome to the new WHISCA board for 2007/08:
Marilyn Carey continuing
Adrian Redford continuing
Victor Njume
Kathy Northrup
Mary Tilberg
· October, 2007
WINNERS OF 2007 BIG HEART AWARDS
Katie Dohm of Powell River celebrated her seventh birthday by giving all of her birthday money, $270, to WHISCA. Her brother, 10, not to be outdone, donated all of his savings of $100 from collecting cans and bottles. Together, they have paid the school fees and registration for our two orphan boys, Eleazard, 16, and Solomon, 11, to attend junior high school this year. Prizes will be awarded at the annual general meeting, Nov. 7 at 7 PM.
CONGRATULATIONS, KATIE AND HER BROTHER, who wished to remain anonymous.
Past winners of the Big Heart Awards were Alex and Matthew Southcott who collected $739 in six months selling everything they could lay their hands on from flowers to flower rocks.
· October, 2007
News from Bartholomew: Graduation Day
Wow! Are we proud! Haoua is 12 years old and will now become the village sewing instructor in Manda.
I just decided to post pictures of Hauas graduation while waiting for the night train. I hope you enjoy them since I do not have the detailed report ready. All the same the pics are self explicit.
Haoua won first prize in the youth sewing class!
· Fall, 2007
News from Bartholomew:
The plains are over flooded with water and cars could not go through. It was like rehearsing to start using the bad roads in Chad once more.
The results for the final semester were collected today with the following recorded:
CST 404-Teaching Practice II - A grade
CST 498- Research - B+
ENG 416- The African Novel - B+
ENG 434- Varities of Eng. - B
ENG 214 English Drama - B
Congratulations are in order! Bartholomew has completed his degree.
Bartholomew Mokuh, the recipient of our first University Scholarship graduated July 31, 2007. He will be returning to Manda, Chad on October 6 with our two orphans, Haoua and Eleazard, who have been studying in Cameroon this year. Bartholomew will take up his new position as principal of the school built by WHISCA.
· Summer 2007
· News from Bartholomew
Haoua
Two ladies (trainers) from the Women Empowerment and Vocational Training Center drove home yesterday with Haoua. They wanted to see her guardian and express their satisfaction with her progress in sewing, designing and knitting. They requested two things, namely: that Haoua should be allowed to stay in Limbe till September 27th to finish her training, receive her certificate and graduate with others. Secondly, that she should be given a machine to practice and prefect her skills after graduation.
They were also very impressed that she is the youngest and could learn so many things within few months. They presented some of the things Haoua has designed .They are very beautiful and stylish. I will send pictures to you when I can find a memory card reader. I have been invited to that center on Monday to witness an exhibition.
From my personal observation, Haoua is a wonderful designer. You will accept this when you see the pictures. I will plead with Madam Cecile to stay with Haoua in her small apartment until September 27th when she graduates. We will then leave for Chad by the 30th.
I just collected Eleazard's report card and he has been promoted to the next class with an average of 11.26 (Total grade is 20. He failed the first semester because of his poor foundation., so this is wonderful news. GG) He will be riding with the other Manda students to a nearby secondary school.
There is certainly more to discuss than i can write now at the cyber. I will write more when i get at home.
With love
Mokuh Barth
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