J.F. YANCY ELEMENTARY & JR. HIGH SCHOOL: ACADEMIC 2009/2010

PRESENTED BY: PAUL J. GLAYDOR, SR., PRINCIPAL
AT THE CLOSING EXERCISES OF ACADEMIC 2009/2010
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010

Madame Guest Speaker, Chairperson and members of the School Board, Members of the faculty Senate, the District Superintendent and officers of the St. John River District/UMC, Directress, Department of General Education and Ministry/the United Methodist Church, County Education Office/Grand Bassa County, Government Officials, Special Guests, Distinguished invitees, parents, friends and well-wishers Ladies and gentlemen.

It is my distinguished pleasure to present to you highlights of academic activities here at the J.F. Yancy Elementary & Junior High School, Camphor Mission for the academic period 2009/2010 which ends today, June 27, 2010.

We assumed leadership of the school on March 1, 2010 from a decision of the 177th Session of the Liberia Annual Conference held in Gbarnga in February of 2010 after briefly serving as Mission Station Superintendent for Camphor Mission. From the onset of this appointment to provide leadership of the school we saw the responsibility as a big challenge, and yet, an opportunity. It was a challenge considering the several limitations and conditions of scarcity under which we would have to operate the school. A ninety percent dependence on donors for financial support, insufficient facilities and programs to motivate teachers; including inability to pay salaries for some long periods, were some of our fears. Other specific concerns were getting community people to respond to the need for early learning and supporting the continuous education of their children, the effect of indigenous village community traditions on decisions of both parents and school-aged children on schooling, and the consequent low level of girls’ enrollment at school within this community, high poverty levels of parents that would not allow them to send their children to school etc. In all of these conditions however, we found an opportunity to respond to God’s call to serve a deprived community, a community that is left behind in the contest for education, health care and prospect.

Our first response to this call was to try to create a conducive environment in which children in this community will receive the kind of education that will make them capable of meeting the numerous challenges of life with confidence, despite any limiting conditions. This meant to us first, making frantic efforts to provide incentives that will improve learning and learning conditions. Establishing good relationship with villagers and encouraging them to send their children to school in time, adhering to prescribed curriculum, ensuring professional teaching skills and methods, improving students/ teachers’ and teacher to teacher relationship, addressing discipline issues, motivating teachers and support staff for increased productivity were laudable goals. We are pleased, Madam Chairperson, to report that much of these have fallen in place, and that is why we are here today. Many thanks to you and members of the School Board, our donors both local and overseas, the Department of General Education and all those who have lent helping hands.

Enrollment
Academic 2009/2010 began on schedule. The doors of the school were opened and classes began on September 1, 2009 with a total enrollment of three hundred and fifty (327) students. This number included two hundred and seventy (247) community (village) students and 80 boarding students. Sadly noted, the enrollment of girls was only twenty-six percent (26%) of the total enrollment. Out of the total enrollment, thirty (30) students dropped and one (1) was expelled for gross indiscipline. The school year ended therefore with a total of two hundred and ninety-seven (297) students.

Instructional Activities
Instructional activities were carried out throughout the period under the supervision of sixteen (16) teachers. The lower school (kindergarten) had five (5) self-contained teachers, whereas the middle and upper schools (Elementary & Junior High) schools jointly had eleven (11) teachers. The various instructional departments remained active during the period in report. Mathematics, science, language arts and social studies were given major attention considering that these subjects are the focus of national examinations and foundation for future academic pursuits and professional studies. Overall academic activities at the school resulted into a total number of two hundred and five (205) students making straight passes (with no deficiency) to various classes. A total of thirty-three (33) students who have deficiency in one subject were recommended by the Academic Committee for vacation school as prescribed by the Division of General Education and Ministry of the Liberia Annual Conference/UMC and a total of fifty-three (53) with deficiency in two or more subjects failed. In the category of those who passed, we will today be graduating fifteen (15) students ten (10) boys and five (5) girls) from Junior High School to enter high school, and eleven (11) students; nine (9) boys and two (2) girls from kindergarten to primary school. Madame Chairperson, the above statistics puts academic performance at the school at seventy-nine percent (79%) which is above average. Many thanks to our able teachers and support staff for working assiduously towards achieving these goals. We are also grateful to our parents for the level of support they gave us and their children during the academic period.

As part of instructional activities several workshops aimed at improving the instructional skills of teachers were held during the period in report. In furtherance to securing qualified teachers, a number of our teachers will be enrolling at teacher’s training institutes on an in-service basis. We are making special arrangements to ensure that after the completion of their studies, they will return to the school.

Campus life of students
As stated in our report on enrollment, there are a total of eighty (80) students that are boarding on campus; fifty-five (55) boys and twenty-five (25) girls. They are resident in two separate dormitories (boys’ dormitory and girls’ dormitory). The school has ably borne the responsibility of feeding, providing lodging, medical care and doing guidance and counseling. Madame Chairperson, we would like to report that our staff has not only seen these children as students, but as members of our various families because we realize that every child needs a parent, and that these children are away from their parents. During the period in report, cordial relationship existed between these students and our faculty and staff, including other mission personnel not connected directly with the school but who are staff of other projects at the Mission Station. The school has provided them a minimum of two meals per day, safe drinking water, given intermittent electricity, provided recreational and sporting facilities and activities, nurtured them in Christian discipline and discipleship. We proffer many thanks to all faculty members and mission staffs who have helped us maintained our children on campus.

Rewards and Discipline
It is good to give people their flowers while they are alive. The Holy Scripture also states that we should not spare the rod and spoil our children. The Camphor Mission Station is a place that provides secured learning environment, supports social transformation and encourages the molding of responsible character. On account of the aforesaid, some students will be receiving award for good character while others will be receiving notice of disciplinary actions including expulsion for gross indiscipline.

We like to note that discipline here at the Mission Station is intended to correct, and not to destroy. As such, we are very careful on the process that leads to taking disciplinary action against a student. The process for disciplining students begin with classroom punishment or “special attention”, and then to work punishment or counseling on second or repeated offenses. Suspension is the third alternative and then expulsion is the final option for continuous defiance. This process is prescribed by the Department of General Education and Ministry and is standard for all United Methodist Schools. A student will be expelled who has gone through the abovementioned stages of discipline and the school’s administration no longer sees any way that he/she can improve. Against this background, Madame Chairperson, the faculty senate and the Administration of the school have unanimously decided that seven students be expelled on account of gross indiscipline and glaring academic incompetence.

Our objective of deciding expulsion is to avoid such students influencing other students of good conduct, especially those sharing dormitory facilities.

On the other hand, awards will be given to students who have demeaned themselves during their entire academic sojourn here at the school. The process of giving award is based on collaborative reports of discipline and good conduct from a majority of instructors, other mission staffs, background checks with parents and community dwellers. A second condition is the resilience of students at academic pursuit and excellence; in spite of the many odds against which this underprivileged community is existing. The following students will receive awards for good conduct, academic excellence and resilience. They are:

1. Alphonso Brown(longest staying student – from ABC to 9th grade)
2. China Dossen
3. Isaac Yates
4. Churchemar Krangar (longest staying student – from ABC to 9th grade)
5. Christiana Brooks
6. Ruth Sayuo
7. Annie Nimene

Students Alphonso Brown and Churchemar Krangar will receive “Resilience Awards”, in addition to good conduct, and academic excellence.

2010/2011 In Preview
Madame Chairperson, we are pleased to inform you of the following goals that we have set for academic 2010/2011.

1. Staff Development: As we embark on moving the school to full high school beginning 2012, the prerequisites of improving the instructional skills of teachers will be of major interest during the next school year. We will be advocating for scholarships for teacher to advance their studies in teacher training institutions. We are pleased to report that some of our teachers are already ahead of this process. Three of them have been enlisted for study at the Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute under a government sponsored program. We will also be advocating for improved facilities; housing, salaries, etc for teachers. This we believe will attract more qualified teachers.

2. Academic Activities: Considering that kindergarten and primary education are the foundation levels of any academic pursuits, we will give these areas much attention. Every academic shrewdness depends on its foundation. Improving reading, writing and spelling skills of the lower school will be focused. We have identified resource persons who will help us introduce Phonics as a subject for the next academic year. We are also making frantic efforts to introduce French during the next academic year as required by the Ministry of Education. Information technology (computer studies) will be introduced to the middle and upper schools (4th through 9th grades).

3. Boarding facilities: As we advocate for increase in student population for the next academic year, dormitory facilities will be improved and possibly extended to accommodate more students. Electrification of the dormitories has already begun to provide reasonable “lightning time” for study and other extra curricular activities scheduled during evening time. The feeding program will also be enhanced. We are anticipating providing three meals daily beginning academic 2010/2011.

4. Girls’ Education: Realizing the low level of girls’ enrollment at school in our country and specifically in this community, it is our intention to steadily increase the percentage of girls who come to school here at the Mission. We have targeted to recruit and enroll about one hundred and fifty (150) girls during the next academic year which will put the percentage of girls’ enrollment from 26% to at least 31% for the first time. This process will continue each year until we can hopefully narrow the gap to a reasonable proportion or attain a one to one ratio.

5. Extra Curricular Activities: Madame Chairperson, subject to the School Board’s approval, we will create a Department of Extra Curricular Activities in the school that will focus on occupying the “out of classroom” time of the students with meaningful activities. These activities will include sports and recreation, academic clubs, press clubs, drama clubs, devotional and spiritual growth programs to include Bible study groups and evening services, choir, and etc.We have realized that when children are kept idle, they find anything to do. It is our responsibility as school administrators to give direction to what students do while here on campus.

6. Discipline: The United Methodist Church and the United Methodist School System give us the charge to develop in students Christian principles and moral standards. Doing this will require relentless efforts to keep a well demeaned student population. In order to ensure this, students and parents will jointly be required to sign a “behavior bond” prior to admission. In addition, our discipline process as prescribed in the Handbook of United Methodist Schools will be strictly adhered to. Students who are found to be grossly indiscipline and perform very poorly in their academic activities will be expelled.

Madame Chairperson, distinguished guests, parents, in closing, we wish to extend many thanks to our students, parents, donors and all who helped in making academic 2009/2010 a smashing success. As we will embark upon the journey into 2011/2012, it is our hope that you will continue to give us your support and cooperation so that together, we will mould the minds of your children, in order that our homes, our church and society will be better places to be. Long live the J.F. Yancy Elementary & Junior High School, long live the Camphor United Methodist Mission.

God bless you.

Submitted: Paul J. Glaydor, Sr.
PRINCIPAL

Checking in again…

The days have been going by quickly here in Africa! Most weekdays I am at the clinic from 8am-4pm, seeing patients along with Mary, the resident RN. The majority of the patients are either pregnant women or young children, and more than half of the patients that come in are treated for malaria. We don’t have the ability to do many diagnostic tests, so we often have to “do our best” and treat based on the patient’s symptoms, history and physical exam. As I am learning, medicine in the rural tropics is very different! Other ongoing activities at the clinic include oral polio vaccination for children and onchoceriasis medication distribution throughout Camphor and other surrounding villages. I have tagged along a few times with Agatha, the clinic registrar to administer polio vaccines and it has been an interesting experience to travel on foot to the different villages and go inside people’s homes. Our clinic director, Meleiah, has been distributing Ivermectin as part of a nationwide campaign to prevent and treat onchoceriasis, or “river blindness”, which is caused by a parasite transmitted by the bite of a black fly. The medicine has to be given every year for several years in order to be effective, so she has been making her yearly rounds with “the stick” to measure people’s height so that they get the right dose.

One recent highlight was the trip to Monrovia from June 9-11. My primary reason for traveling was to buy drugs and supplies for the clinic, but I was also able to do a little sightseeing as well, which was nice. Paul, two of the students at Camphor and I all started the journey in the African car, but it broke down about an hour after we started driving. After trying to find and fix the problem himself with no success, Paul sent me ahead with a group of travelers that agreed to take me part of the way for a small fee and then find me a taxi. I felt a little bad for leaving them behind! Thankfully the necessary repairs were made quickly with some professional help, and Paul and the students made it safely to Monrovia later that evening.

I also recently visited Ganta United Methodist Mission up north in Nimba County with Nyamah and Helen, who are both UM missionaries both working in Monrovia. We happened to be there when the school was having an end-of-the-year concert for the students and we were treated to the soulful sounds of a fantastic local gospel choir and a band all the way from Arizona in the US. I was also able to tour the hospital and eye clinic while I was there. Ganta Hospital is definitely a much bigger place than Camphor, with full-time physician staff, inpatient units, and even a nursing school. There are several permanent missionaries that live there and mission teams coming through all the time. It was good to see what it was like, but it also made me glad that I am “stationed” at Camphor where I definitely feel needed.

Another recent event was the TBA refresher training, where I helped teach and answer questions along with Meleiah. It was a nice change of pace from work at the clinic. We also had the school commencement program on June 27th. The outgoing 9th grade class and the kindergarten class celebrated their graduation, and many of the other students were present to support their classmates. Everyone at the mission spent the last several weeks preparing for the program; preparing the students report cards and certificates, painting the mission gates, re-surfacing the road and cutting the grass. Now Paul and the mission staff can rest (at least for a little while!) after a successful program.
More next time!
Peace,
Sarah

Judy Olin UMVIM Guesthouse

The Guest house is on “finishing”. I really did not know that the “finishing touches” (smoothening of external walls and pillars, tiles laying, painting, etc) was the most meticulous stage of construction. Mr. Gbaa says so. It’s taking some time. We are however slowly, but surely getting to completion of the two units.

Liberia comes to East Ohio and Mentor UMC

Shaffa Seward, Liberia Annual Conference UMVIM coordinator arrived in East Ohio on Sunday, June 13th. Shaffa spent time at Lakeside for Annual Conference and then shared in ministry with the Jr. High Mission Group at Mentor UMC. The photos of our attempt to cook Liberian rice and beans and plantains, YUMMY, and of us hauling water and filling up larger vessels for washing and cooking. Shaffa and the group watched Pray the Devil Back To Hell and learned about the realities of life in Liberia and their history of war. A great time with one another.

The Story Continues…

I am starting to adjust to life here and have had some interesting experiences in my second week. I was able to visit the school Wednesday morning for a few hours when they needed a “substitute” teacher for the k-2 class. It was last-minute and I didn’t have much time to prepare a lesson plan, so I did a short geography lesson followed by some drawing/coloring time with some “special” paper, crayons, and stickers from the US courtesy of my mom (Thanks, mom!)

Later on in the clinic that day we had a very sick baby come in that needed to go to the hospital. Luckily Paul was available and the “African car” was working that day, so he was able to take mom, dad, and baby to the government hospital in Buchanan. I tagged along to monitor the baby’s condition and also to see the hospital, which I had never been to. When we arrived, the staff sent us directly to the lab, where we waited to have tests done and then waited for results. I became a little frustrated because it seemed that priority was placed on paperwork and following routines, and since we had arrived no vital signs or assessment of any kind had been done by the hospital staff. They finally started IV fluids and other treatments after about an hour and a half, and while the baby’s condition had yet to really improve I knew there was little else I could do at that point, so Paul and I left. It was an interesting experience, one I am still processing. I’m glad we were able to help. I received an update from someone that went to Buchanan the next day. They said the baby was still alive and doing ok at that time.
On Saturday I was able to attend the monthly meeting of the TBA’s (traditional birth attendants) at a nearby village a few miles from Camphor. The TBA’s, who all received training at Camphor, now meet monthly for “continuing education” and to discuss new experiences and things learned in the past month. A big part of the discussion this day was on the importance of having a designated birthing area or “delivery house” in the village and some of the challenges in accomplishing this. Having a space like this helps improves sanitation in the village by keeping the birthing area separate from where people eat, sleep, and bathe. We will follow up with them next month to see if they have made any progress. We finished our visit by checking up on the “delivery kits” that were given to the village as part of the TBA initiative. Each contains a series of plastic containers and bags, gloves, disinfectant, and other supplies and we wanted to make sure the kits were being maintained and used appropriately.

Nyamah, our UMCOR representative in Monrovia, came on Friday and Saturday to visit for the TBA meeting and also brought the clinic some supplies (see picture) which were much appreciated. The weekend finished up on Sunday with service at Paul’s church, Mt. Galilee UMC, where they celebrated mother’s day and crowned (and sashed, pinned, flowered, and gifted!) the mother of the year for the church. It was a colorful event with lots of dancing and singing.
More next week!

Sarah, UMVIM

UMVIM Training in St. Simon, Georgia

Here is a photo of our UMVIM training. Great conversation and renewed energy for serving!

Camphor Update from Paul Glaydor, Sr.

April salaries have been paid. This time, clinic staffs were paid from funds generated from the clinic. Last month, part of teacher’s salaries was paid from the school’s account. We are hoping that all projects will be able to foot part of their staff salary from funds they can generate. This assures us of a gradual movement towards the goal of financial sustainability.

Clinic:
A two weeks refresher workshop for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA’s) was held from April 5 to 16. Over 52 traditional midwives from 42 villages in the Camphor area who have earlier been trained by the Mission as TBAs participated. Mrs. Helen Nyuma a trainer from the Ganta Community Development Home Based Life Saving Skills program served as a guest trainer. Village chiefs in the Camphor area were invited at the closing ceremonies. They all resolved to work with the Mission in supporting the work of traditional midwives in their respective communities. Some offered to construct delivery homes for these Trained Traditional Midwives in their villages.

The Motor Cycle donated by the Trinity UMC made its maiden trip this week-end to villages for monitoring activities of TBAs. Vaccination of babies is also on schedule. This week, Alvin Joe, Vaccinator at the clinic said over 100 babies were given polio and measles vaccines. Outreach for community health development is continuing on Wednesdays and Saturdays on a weekly basis. This include HIV/AIDS awareness.

Estimates of extension at 3,537.50 of the clinic was submitted to UMCOR.The extension will contain a delivery room of 22ft. by 15ft, complete with bathroom and an office. We are prayfully hopeful that funds will be made available as soon as possible to make the extension possible.

School:
Mock (demonstrative) exams were administered this last week. Sixth and ninth graders sat in preparation for the West African Examination Council administered National Exams. National Exams are scheduled for May 24th - 27th for both sixth and ninth graders. Grade Conference for 4th and 5th periods was held on Friday, the 8th. School Board meeting was held on Sunday, the 9th. Budget and programs for next academic 2010/2011 were highlighted. Budget and new fees were presented to the Board for study and could be approved next Sunday, the 23rd. A committee for graduation has been set up to plan ahead closing ceremonies for academic 2009/2010 which has been set for June 27th.

The school qualified in the first round of the Inter School Sports Tournament. Won its qualifying matches both in kickball and soccer by wide margins. We will be participating in the second round of the tournament in Monrovia shortly. Bible Blast, the program introduce by Sandy VanDuin (SP) of the East Ohio Conference has resumed. A new coordinator (Ms. Success Gbesio) was appointed because of busy schedule of Rev. Joe Giahque. Rev. Aquinas J. Kulah, Pastor of Garfield UMC, Camphor Mission and Vice Principal of the school will also provide supervision.

Agriculture:
Construction of the palm processing factory for which funds were donated by the Minnesota Team has begun we are doing both foundation and roofing before we can lay bricks because the rain is fast coming in this year. Contractors say foundation and roofing will be completed in one month. Nelson is optimistic about this. Charcoal production is in process. About one hundred and fifty bags are now being produced. We began supplying dinning hall yesterday. The rubber farm is being cleaned. An amount of USD 675.00 has been donated for rubber trees. Part of this fund will be used to replace strums that failed. From meeting with the Agriculture Department today, plantain will be intercropped with the rubber as it is being underbrushed. The area around the dinning hall is also being cleared for planting plantain for feeding the students. The chain-saw crew will be leaving for timber production into the newly located forest area by the 20th. They are targeting producing one thousand pieces of timber within one month. Part of this timber will be used for roofing of the last unit of the Judy Olin Guest House.

Jim Perry of the Edenton Street UMC Africa Sub-Committee paid a visit to Camphor Mission under heavy rainfalls that interrupted a set meeting. I later had a meeting with him in Monrovia over the week-end that focused on financial sustainability of the Mission and other United Methodist Institutions in Liberia , using agriculture. Jim has commissioned a number of micro-franchising projects into which Camphor Mission will participate and benefit from.

Judy Olin Guest House
Plastering in and out of the Guest House has been completed. Finishing is on-going. Laying of ceiling in the first two units has also been completed. First phase of painting (white-washing) has begun and is on-going. Floors are been smoothening in preparation for tile laying by this week-end. Keys may be turned over by contractor Nelson within a week and half from now. The Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference has instructed the Liberia Annual Conference Board of Trustees to donate materials to the third unit of the Guest House. I will be holding the first meeting with the Board in Monrovia on Wednesday, the 19th for this purpose. Thanks be to God that He continues creating possibilities leading to the successful completion of this project.

Staff housing.
Staff housing at the mission continues to be a challenge. The refabrishing of a former storeroom near the Garfield UMC is nearing completion. Roofing has been completed. A front porch and a bathroom was added. This single bedroom facility is intended to accomodate a teacher and his family. Another structure only at foundation level that was meant for piggery will also be converted into accomodation for staff. These are just evidences of necessity.

Jordan’s Wells
The two villages to which wells were donated are enjoying the strange experience of drinking safe water. They are still expressing gratitude to donors and Camphor. More villages are prayerfully hoping to have this experience. Many thanks to Jordan Martin and all donors to the well project.

Latrines for Camphor
There is urgent need for latrines at the Mission and its surrounding. Most of the housing units do not have toilets hat are in use. Now the rain is down, and going into the bushes may contaminate creeks that village folks are still drinking.

Donated Ambulance
The Mission has retrieved and taken possession of the keys of the used Ambulance that was donated by the Buchanan Renewable Energies (BRE). It will be moved to the District Superintendent’s house or on the premises of a United Methodist Institution by this week-end to have secured.

Funds
A total of six thousand and sixty-five dollars for scholarships ($2,000.00), rubber trees (675.00) and Mission undesignated (3,390.00) has been received. A thank you note will be send to donors. Listing of deserving students to benefit from these scholarships is being prepared to be sent to donors. We are grateful to all who made these donations. May God continue to reward you and fill your barns.

Camphor Contact Group
I have initiated efforts to organize a “Camphor Contact Group”, a group of local people (Prominent United Methodists & Others) who will spearhead local fund raising activities and promote the mission. A very fruitful meeting was held this week-end with Mrs. Barbara Ogente and Jacqueline Capehart of Reeves Memorial UMC of the St. Paul River District both of whom Bishop Innis have recommended. The first meeting was very encouraging, as these women expressed enthusiastism and willingness to serve as local people who will work towards the promotion of the Mission . A second meeting during which a formal action plan will be drawn up is scheduled for Wednesday, the 19th in Monrovia . As a first contact with the Mission , the women will be participating in the closing ceremonies of the school at the Mission which is scheduled for June 27 or may pay a visit before this time. They will be joining the rest of us in telling the Camphor Story.

Hoping that these updates will meet all you strengthened in God's mighty army as we strive to build His kingdom here on earth, I remain

Yours in Mission,

Paul J. Glaydor, Sr.
MISSION SUPERINTENDENT