September 30, 2015

I cannot believe that we are closing this month next week. It seems like August was just yesterday. This month the Full Circle Program had plans to accomplish many things. Noah and I arranged a children’s rights and responsibilities training at Maji ya Chai Primary School. We managed to prepare the Life Skills Teaching Manual for secondary school students. Finally we began life skills clubs at two schools.

The training at Maji ya Chai was Full Circle’s response to the need for students to learn their rights and responsibilities as children. We also want them to understand the responsibilities they have as children and to know how to act if their rights are violated. I think you will agree with me that “with every right there has to be a corresponding responsibility.” For example, if they learned they have a right to be educated, then they also have the responsibility to study and learn as much as their capabilities allow and share their knowledge and experience with others.

Through this training it came into their mind that if they take responsibility for their learning they will develop a hunger to accomplish the dreams they have. Also the pupils start to understand that they are leaders of tomorrow. They realize that leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses. Therefore, as leaders, they should start taking responsibility.

We also worked with secondary scholars. We managed to prepare the Life Skills Teaching Manual for secondary school students. Under Full Circle we saw there is a need to have life skills sessions with secondary students. Historically, secondary school has not included life skills education. Students are have expressed their desire to learn practical skills in addition to academic knowledge. This opportunity will help them to cover necessary skills including: entrepreneurship, dream mapping, self-esteem, effective communication, stress management, and exams taking.

We formed Active Life Skills Clubs at Arusha Modern School (because so many TFFT Scholars are students there) and at Oldonyosambu Government School. At Arusha Modern School we have 28 members from forms 1, 2, 3, and 5. At Oldonyosambu we have 45 members from form 1-3. They have selected the clubs officials and guardian teacher for clubs. School administration are very eager to have these clubs, they said it is golden opportunity to their students.

I gave out the questionaires to scholars to see how they feel about these clubs and how important they are to them. Some of the questions asked from the questioners include:

1/. Is life skills education necessary in school? Yes/No (circle one) If yes, why?

Life skills education will help students to make proper decision, develop good behavior, solve problems, and have confidence and self-esteem.

2/. How are clubs different than classroom teaching?

School clubs offers things that classroom teaching cannot offer. We can express what we feel and contribute to ideas that positively affect our lives unlike classroom teaching.

3/. What do school clubs offer that class doesn’t?

Engaging in community activities, life skills education, confidence, and freedom to give out your ideas and express yourself. It enables you to interact with other people and socialize etc.

According to what they wrote in this questionnaire, there is a huge need of teaching and guiding them on life skills essentials. These clubs are already in function, so much will be shared on next blog story of what they are doing.

This month was indeed busy for all of us here. On top of the training, teaching manual development, and club formation, we celebrated graduation for many of our scholars at Usa River Academy and Star High School. In addition, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of donors. We are very much enjoying having Meghann and Ray in country. They have joined us in the field for observations. It brings a lot of joy to the team to work with them in various programs including Full Circle.

Cheers!