Club night

One of the fun things about establishing Christ School here in Bundibugyo, has been the dual focus. We are committed to providing a solid education to the children here. One that enables them to move successfully through the Ugandan school system. We love when our kids do well on their O and A level exams. We are so proud of them as they leap over the hurdles in their lives and excel academically. We are delighted when new horizons open up for them, through entrance to university, teacher's college or nursing school. What fun, what a feeling of a job well done. But then we also have our secret agenda, one a bit more subversive. We want our students to be able to think. Not just to memorize answers and spit them out correctly on exams. We want our students to think critically about their environment, families, clans, communities, lives. We want them to explore solutions to problems in a creative way that is life-giving and unexpected. We want them to be image bearers of a creative, redemptive, loving God who gets personally involved in all that is seen and heard. In a culture that prizes lecture and note-taking, we are making slow progress in areas of dynamic, hands-on, practical learning in the classroom. As with my cleaning aka Fly lady style, we take slow consistent baby steps each term. But the introduction of clubs gives us a different chance. Every Friday night, for two hours, our students go to clubs. These are each co-lead by two staff members in an area of general interest. The students and our teachers are not very focused on memorizing for the exam, as there is none. It is a time solely for exploration, creativity and enjoyment. Our staff get involved in our students lives in an informal way as they all strive to have the best club at school. We started the program last year (a bit rocky) but this year, most of the kinks have been sorted through and it is fun to watch.
The clubs are:
Math (you knew this one had to be there! In two weeks 4 of our students have qualified to compete in the second level of a national math competition. )
Scouting (we have a Ugandan teacher who is an eagle scout!)
Agriculture
Science
Story-Telling
Prayer and Praise
Straight Talk
Music and Dance
Strategy Games
Lovers of Literature
Newspaper/Journalism
Office Practice
Appropriate Technology
Arts and Crafts

Next Friday, I'll to move around and get some photos. It is exciting to watch and dream....