End of Year Reflection

As Christmas approaches and 2015 ends, I reflect upon this journey so far.  Between October and mid-November I visited 22 schools where I observed and conversed with 65 teachers.  I remain impressed by the commitment of the CCAP community school teachers.   I observed happy students who enjoy attending school, teachers with a strong sense of calling to this important work, and learning in spite of limited resources.

Considerations:

• Schools in Lusaka and the Copperbelt have fewer resources than Eastern Province, especially books, materials, and building development.  This may be due to many more community schools in the city than in the rural areas and therefore the government has fewer resources and materials to support schools in the cities. Also, some western partners work only in the rural areas and not the cities. Support is needed for all schools but especially those in the cities.
• Many, but not all, of our most skilled teachers have left.  Retention of teachers is difficult due to lack of pay.  Some highly skilled teachers who remain in CCAP schools have reported they are “looking for greener pastures.” The need for self-sustaining, income generating projects that can provide payment for teachers is urgent in order to retain quality teachers.
• 70% of the teachers have received one training only and 63% of those received their only training in 2015 because they have been working with CCAP for less than a year.

I will return for the month of February to Lusaka and the Copperbelt.  My plan is to spend time with each teacher modeling, consulting, and coaching.  I will also work closely with Mabuchi to train her in how to do the same so that the program will be self-sustaining after I leave.

Training Plan for February:

• In the first 45 minutes, I will model a lesson of the teachers’ choice from a menu of possible lessons.  Ideally, 2 teachers will observe at a time along with Mabuchi.
• Using guided questions, teachers will make notes regarding teaching practices they observed.
• Each teacher will then have a “pre-conference” with Mabuchi and me to discuss the lesson we will observe.
• The teacher will then give a 30 – 45 minute lesson, receive positive feedback from us, and suggestions upon their request.   Head teachers will also be welcomed to sit in with permission from the observed teacher.
• After working with all schools, Mabuchi and I will return a week or so later and complete a 15 minute walk-through with written feedback.
• Follow-up training for teachers will be provided in a workshop format.

As the year comes to an end, please consider making a tax-deductable contribution to this project at http://africanleadershippartners.org/support/

I have raised around $1000, my church will contribute $3500 but I still need approximately $4000 to complete this work. Below are the costs from the fall trip and estimates for the February and Spring trips. If you have specific questions, please contact me directly via email at mbeilke@me.com.

FALL TRIP (1 trip – 6 weeks)

Expense	Description	Cost
Airfare	Doha to Swaziland/Zambia and back + trip to Ndola	1650
Ground transport	Taxi, bus, CCAP vehicle – Lusaka & Eastern Province	225
Food/Water	Groceries, dining out – about $5.00/day	200
Lodging	Guest Houses in Eastern Province	100
Solar Panel	Computer & phone charging during daily power outages	310
Communication	SIM card, data, internet	55
Medical	Insurance, doctor visits	320
Teacher Training	One day for 12 teachers – food, materials, cooks, bus fare	170

 Total  3030

FEBRUARY & SPRING TRIPS (2 trips – 4 weeks & 6 weeks)

Expense	Description	Cost
Airfare	Doha to Lusaka, Lusaka to Doha (2 trips)	2150
Ground Transport	Bus & CCAP vehicle – Lusaka, Ndola & Eastern Province	550
Food/Water	Groceries, dining out – about $5.00/day	350
Lodging	Spring Trip only	100
Communication	SIM card, data, internet	110
Medical	Insurance, doctor visits	200
Teacher Training	2 days/30 teachers in Lusaka/40 teachers in Eastern Province	1800

Total  5260

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!