Meetings on Both Sides of the World

The blog has been pretty quiet lately. That is not from lack of material to post, we definitely have that. We're just doing some 'behind the scenes' type of stuff. Like planning meetings for our literacy program. We have meetings going on from both sides! This is the group of people planning the 2nd annual walkathon. Well, minus two or three. We had a very productive meeting with a lot of input and discussion on ways to make our walk even better this year. I was really impressed with our kids who showed up and offered their help! They came up with brilliant ideas! I love 1 Timothy 4:12... Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. These kids are a shining example of living out their faith.

Then, across the ocean, our program director in Liberia is holding another meeting. He is bringing parents together to discuss how the children are doing in school and making plans to help ensure they succeed in their classes. Also discussed were work related issues addressed to the school and how families can volunteer time, which, in turn, makes our families and schools stronger.

Here's a picture of Stephen with some of our parents of school children. I want to add here that Stephen is an amazing director. He is the core of what we are doing there. He keeps the program going in an organized, efficient manner. This program could not have been blessed with a better person for the job!

I believe this is an exciting time for the Liberian Literacy Program! We invite you to ask questions or better yet, come get involved with us, the rewards are priceless!

Handing out Girl Scout Cookies

Quite possibly the only food some of these children received today.

Lightstream Buildings

 This is the Lightstream Academy school building.

Here we have the bathroom. Actually one of the nicer bathrooms I have seen.

Teaching at Lightstream Academy

These are the Lightstream kids that we were able to give scholarships to from our first walk. We will show you the others as we cover the different schools they are in.

Just goofing around and posing for the camera.

And one more shot of the inside of the school. Classes are separated by these dividers.

I added this video of one of the teachers instructing the students on proper letter writing.  The kids were excited to have visitors and you can hear all the chatting but you can grasp what he is trying to teach them.

Backpacks for Lightstream Academy

Take a look at the kids in our program. NONE of these kids would have had this opportunity if you did not walk last June! Stratford Girl Scouts also donated the school supplies inside each one. Seeing the children attend school makes it all worth it!

Lightstream Academy Video

This video takes a look into the classrooms at Lightstream Academy. Stephen Johnson will talk a bit about bringing backpacks, our program, and the need to get people involved. There is alot of background noise but I found it helpful to adjust the volume.

Lightstream Academy

This post is to introduce you to one of the schools that we are able to send some of our sponsored students to.  This school is accredited by the Ministry of Education (which is important in Liberia) and has also had a church in Wisconsin help with funding of their school building project.  Currently, they are educating around 400 students.  There are many needs here but the school is  under great leadership.  I am hoping to see this school grow even more.

These are children that are gathered for morning prayers.

This is another picture of the students doing morning
devotions.  In Liberia, praying and worshipping are still a part of daily school activity.

This is the first grade class.

One of the older classes.

The children's water source during recess break.

This is the principal of Lightstream Academy, David Fatorma and his family.  David has visited the U.S. on a few occasions and I think he brings a well rounded perspective on education.  Global Orphan Outreach is proud to be working with them.




In the next few postings I will post some pics of the last trip to Liberia where we handed out backpacks and school supplies to our sponsored kids.  A great big thank you goes out to the Stratford Girl Scout troops for donating the school supplies and also to some individual donors who sent us the backpacks.  We appreciate your generosity!