working at the school

Wanted to update you on my new work at the local Primary School! It's been so exciting to be invited into the Art Department at the one and only primary school in our community: Capricorn Primary School. This school is small (around 500 pupils); it can't accommodate all the children that need to be in school in Capricorn. Many children have to walk long distances outside our community for an education, but the small percentage who get accepted to Capricorn Primary School get to learn at a good facility with caring teachers. It's a really neat environment - not without its daily challenges - with even greater future potential.

The turn-over rate of teachers is HIGH in our school. The students have very little concept of discipline because they don't learn it at home. Even if they have loving parents, the environment they live is full of negative influences and violence. Many of our children have some sort of learning challenge - we often reason this with the effects of drugs and alcohol abuse in the womb. These learners have a lot to overcome in our rough little neighborhood but as you know, all things are possible with our God.

Currently, I'm helping the Art Department (the Butterfly Art Project) with future strategic planning, team development, end of the year projects (graduations, outings, etc), and supporting the director! I'm able to give about 10-15 hours a week to the school and I'm LOVING the people I get to work with and the children I get to interact with on a weekly basis! The other part of my "working hours" go to the church - doing Jr. Youth and Youth Ministry. All of this is keeping me busy, but it's nice to be active in the community again and productive for the Gospel!

As 2014 closes, we end another school year (our school year runs Jan- Dec), and I'm planning for my new responsibility in the school's Afterschool Enrichment Program! Pray for the opportunity to help grow the creative development of our learners, give love to those who are often rejected, inspire artistic giftedness in those who don't typically excel in the classroom, and give hope for the future! I can't wait to share more about this school and the ways God is moving in our children of Capricorn!