Hope Learning Center: “One by one, step by step”
Young voices shout out, “My God is so BIG! So strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God can not do.” Mikret, a small 8-year-old, is moving her arms to form a mountain and then a river. She is smiling broadly and watching Amy Anderson carefully as she leads the group in this song. All 15 students in this afternoon class are full of energy and when class is over, Amy and I will be exhausted.
Amy, our youngest daughter, has been in Soddo with us since February. She recently graduated with a degree in English education but never pictured herself teaching English as a second language to 6-year-olds. She also is teaching a high school class, but it is obvious these little ones have captured her heart. Many of the girls kiss and hug her after class and the boys shyly shake her hand.
Hope Learning Center is a complement to the work of Soddo Christian Hospital. One by one and step by step, we are teaching English skills using a variety of educational methods.
The 80-plus students range in age from 6 to 18 years old. They learn using a computer language program as well as speaking classes. Anyone in Ethiopia hoping to progress in education beyond 8th grade must master English. Many of the hard-working employees at the hospital sacrifice to have their children go to private schools, and they appreciate this opportunity to learn from an English speaker.
Since October, I have settled into my new building and ministry. After Christmas break, we started a Bible memory program. The children first memorized the Lord’s Prayer. They surprised me with their ability to memorize very quickly, and they were rewarded with a gift of a toothbrush. Next, we started on the “ABC’s” of Proverbs. Twenty-six proverbs are illustrated in a book organized according to the alphabet. After three verses, the youngest group received colorful balloons. After five verses, the older students received ink pens. They are thrilled with these small prizes. I hope to bring T-shirts with the center’s new logo back from the States and reward them at the end of the 26.
Not only do we memorize, but we discuss the practical application of each proverb, such as, “Don’t make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers. You might learn their habits and not be able to change.” This builds new vocabulary as well as character. Paulos, our Ethiopian teacher, helps translate so that we know they all understand.
We use illustrated Bible stories every week. Even the little ones can tell the story of David and Goliath using whole body motions. Amy has created lots of games for review so that they are mastering the stories in English.
Another favorite moment is when we read a children’s book to them. “The Wheels on the Bus” has popup animals or turning wheels, which bring squeals of delight over and over again, even to the older students. Most children likely don’t have colorful books in the home. We give all the classes time to sit and read our few library books.
Sometimes we have learning centers at the various tables. As the children arrive they gravitate to their favorite puzzle, game or book. When the electric power is off, which is twice weekly, we let the computer class students join us for reading, singing and games.
We have added other students this last month, including a street boy and some from the community outside the hospital. Some of the students travel more than an hour to get here. They wear ragged clothes and are thin, so I started serving sweet tea and bread. I hope to try a high protein drink this week.
One room of the center is a craft room. We are making jewelry to sell to visitors and in the States. Our church in Idaho has so far sold all we can make. One of Duane’s former patients is a handicapped young woman who lost her job because of her surgeries and long recovery. She is learning to make the earrings this week. The profits help pay the salary of my three workers.
I pray this center will influence the next generation here in southern Ethiopia. If you could see the sweet, eager faces of these children, you would be excited too.
“My God is so big, there is nothing He can not do.”
Jackie Anderson
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