|
|
|
|
|
Home > CW National > Article
|
Go back |
|
Brothers aim at drop-outs
|
Printable version |
| 14 September, 2008 |
The Christian Brothers in Africa and the Philippines are finding ways to combine their missions of education and social justice.
While the Christian Brothers have successfully built school systems in 27 countries around the world, they see many opportunities to move beyond established schools while relying on the gift of education to improve social conditions.
The Christian Brothers have two communities in the Philippines – one in Kabankalan on the island of Negros, and the second in Hilingos on the Island of Leyte.
In Kabankalan since June, a new venture has been introduced to combine the education and social justice missions.
The program, run by Christian Brothers John Moodie and Neil Langan, is for high school aged kids who have dropped out of school.
Brs John and Neil are using materials from the Philippines Education Department’s Alternative Learning System as a way of filling in educational gaps and re-establishing an interest in learning.
In Kenya in 2005, a local bishop asked the Christian Brothers to rescue the Br Beausang Catholic School from closure. Br Laurie Collins started to oversee the school from 2006.
The school, which is made up of tin huts with dirt floors, has very few resources, but there are many local people who want to receive an education.
While primary school is free in Kenya, there is little support for secondary education and the classes are very small.
More than 60 per cent of Nairobi’s population lives in slums so the fees required are too much for most.
Education, though, is seen by the population as a major source of hope and a way to escape poverty.
Despite these difficulties, the school’s progress has continued with help from Australian Christian Brothers and the Edmund Rice network.
After the post-election instability had passed, the school has had seven visitors from Australia in recent months who all participated in a range of activities and made a special contribution from their special interest.
Frank Fitzgerald, principal of St Bernard’s, Essendon, introduced hockey to the school curriculum, having brought with him equipment donated by Hockey Australia.
Peter Hogan (board finance chair of St Bernard’s) gave valuable advice to the school’s finance department.
Caroline Sheehan (St Bernard’s) introduced a reading comprehension scheme.
Sara Taylor (St Patrick’s, Ballarat) provided invaluable advice and support in planning for the library.
Helen McLennan (St Patrick’s, Ballarat) shared her expertise in Special Education.
Sharon Lehtonen helped establish a new bridging class, and Mark Walsh helped to articulate the vision and mission statement.
Mr FitzGerald was pleased to be accommodated in the modern facility known as “Bernie’s Bungalow”, for which his school, St Bernard’s, had provided funds over many years.
In reflecting on his visit, he said: “The visitors’ book shows that in the short time it has operated there have been many groups from around the world that used the building as a base for their volunteer work in the local community.”
He said the Australian visitors “also marvelled at the dignity and hope of these families. They neither sought nor expected charity, but gracefully acknowledged the help of a growing number of people in Australia”.
For Project Kenya, there is still much work to be done. This includes the support of the education of the children via a student sponsorship scheme, fundraising for major projects including a medical centre and searching for more volunteers who are needed to work at the school.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
