BLOG 13 - OUTLINE OF WISDOM SCHOOL

Not sure if I properly gave the layout of the school and classes so here we go...the kids address me as Madam Jennifer in their British/Ghanaian accents (they sound very proper and I love it!) When the kids in my class get really excited they say, "Madam, Madam, Madam!" very loud and fast! Reminding them to raise their hand first is a daily thing. The Little Ones call me OBRUNI which mean White Lady! This does not bother me, it is what all the village kids say but since we are an ENGLISH ONLY school I do correct them and say back, "Madam Jennifer!" Most of them have it down, still working on a few...

Nursery - Ages 2-3 - About 40 kids
Madam Grace (age 50's) runs the show here, you can often see her bathing, feeding, and singing to her Little Ones, She is a strong woman and visits my room frequently to get after my kids who have not paid for their lunch. Grace also has a young teacher with her who is very enthusiatic. (Mom they could really use your expertise here, need you to remind me of a few songs with numbers and letters to teach the little ones, god they are cute, taught them the 5 Little Monkey Song the other day while my kids were at worship, they loved it!)

KG - Age 4-5 - About 40 kids
Madam Ester and Madam Lucy (also the AP)

Class 1 - Age 6- Two Teachers - About 40 kids
Class 2 - Age 7 - One Teacher - 30 kids
Class 3 - Age 8 - One teacher - 30 kids
Class 4 - Age 9 - Madam Pale and Madam Diana (American Volunteer)
Class 5 - Age 10-One teacher - 25 kids
Class 6 - Ages 10-15 - Madam Jennifer - 28 kids!
JSS 1 - Junior Secondary School Ages 13 and up - Teachers Rotate - 25 kids
JSS 2 - Teachers Rotate - 20 kids

From here the kids need to take a standard exam that all students in Ghana take to see if they qualify for further education. The exam costs money and this sadly prevents many promising students from continuing their education. Ken is hoping his younger brother and sister that are currently in JSS will attend school in Cape Coast. They are both very smart and dedicated to their studies. I can find them buried in their books when I come over for dinner every night.
All class have separate rooms held together with plywood. When it rains hard the classrooms have to be swept out and plywood replaced. It is a constant battle of the elements! Ken just showed me blue prints of the future school, it is a great dream and one I hope to see come true! Land has been bought, Ken is just waiting on a loan and funding to begin building. I think the school has a few years before it is built but he is confident that it will happen. I was curious about how he aquired the land that the present school is on and he said that the local chief gave it to him! Just like that, amazing, uh?!