What I Learned About Homeschooling from the Kibera Slums
Homeschool
Audio By Carbonatix
Several years ago, I had a chance to travel to Kenya with AWANA International (www.awana.org/). I knew my heart was going to break seeing the children living in poverty in the slums of Nairobi’s Kibera, but…
I never expected to learn so much about homeschooling from the teachers and students I met in the Kibera slums.
First, the slums are a hard place to visit. Over one million people live in a community of makeshift shacks, unsafe power lines, and filth. Channels of human waste pool in the middle of muddy pathways, and garbage is mixed in with the mud. The stench caused my stomach to lurch.
A pastor friend guided us through the narrow paths to a small courtyard. When we stepped inside, the sound of over 200 children’s voices met us, all packed into a small room singing praises to God.
In Kibera, most children can’t afford school.
Many of the children are orphans, and they are completely left to their own devices. They would die from hunger and living in the elements, but because of caring people, these children are taken in, fed, clothed, and educated in “schools.” These “schools” are not part of the government—they receive no funding. Few of these schools have books, yet they have volunteer teachers and caregivers who do all they can to give these children an education.
We sat on white plastic chairs as the children gave us a presentation. Because of Awana’s training in Kenya, the children quoted scripture, shared biblical stories, and gave personal testimonies of God’s work in their lives. It was amazing!
When I left Kibera, I walked away thinking of my kids and our homeschool. Here are a few things I learned:
1. Passionate teachers are of more value than curriculum.
In the Kibera slums the teachers had no books or curriculum but they were passionate about teaching. Through Awana training (and the use of a teacher’s books and one chalkboard) they taught the children God’s Word. The teachers also taught subjects such as English, Math, Science, and Social Studies, not because they had the newest and coolest stuff, but because they know that education will help children achieve a better life outside of the slums. The teachers are excited about learning (not just getting through the lesson plans) and the children were excited, too.
2. Children can achieve more than we think they’re capable of.
In Kibera the school children quoted long passages of Scripture from memory. They were able to do so because their teachers worked with them, over and over again. Sometimes, as a teacher, I give up far too easily. I’ve found that when I encourage hard work than my children rise to the challenge.
3. Developing a children’s natural talents is more important than getting the book done.
In one of the Kibera schools Beatrice, the teacher, taught jewelry making, dance and acrobats. “We try to find the child’s natural talents and develop them,” Beatrice told me. In a country where the unemployment rate is 42%, Beatrice knows that jobs are scarce and those who work out of their natural inclinations have a better chance of finding a job and succeeding in life. As homeschoolers in the US we often look more to the curriculum than to the child. Beatrice’s example has stuck with me.
When I got back from my trip, I was so excited to start my homeschooling year! After visiting Kibera, I knew there would be changes—starting in this teacher’s heart.
If you’d like to sponsor a child in Kenya go to: http://www.awana.org/donate to sign up.
Awana is committed to making the hope of the gospel and long-term discipleship available to every child, everywhere. Your generous gift will be put to use immediately to transform young lives—and eternities—in communities around the world.
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