Each woman I am traveling with will have a different role. We have broken into teams: Upper Math, Lower Math, Upper Reading, Lower Reading, Special Education, and Library. While the other teams are working on what strategies and techniques they will teach to the Jamaican teachers, the Library Team is getting all the books shelf-ready.
To get the books shelf-ready, we need to sort all the books by fiction and non-fiction, sort them by author, label each book with a library spine label and pocket, and input each book's information into a spreadsheet that will act as the "catalog" for the school library.
Here is my work space today:
It takes me about 45 minutes per box to catalog the info into the spreadsheet. Our goal is to create a real, working library for the school. So we can't just donate books and put them on the shelf. This library will be organized and ready for classes of kids to search the paper catalog (no internet!!) to find a book they like, locate it on the shelf by the call number, and check it out using the card system (remember that old system??)
I have 12 boxes in my car to work on over Spring Break. And so does each of the other ladies on the team! Abundance is a blessing even when it means an abundance of work!
Thank you for praying that we can get all these books ready to ship on time. The books will be boxed and sent in May to ensure that they are there at the library waiting for us in July.
If you recall, the school we are working with is Catherine Hall Primary School. Here is some information about the school itself.
Catherine Hall Primary School is located in the Westgreen Community, approximately 2 miles from Sam Sharpe Square, and to the west of the Fairfield intersection. The school opened in 1976, with a Principal and 30 teachers, and provides primary education for students between the ages of 6-12 year old.
This complex also houses a Kindergarten Department, which caters to infants within the 4-5 years age range. There are five classes in this department; 2 for 4 year olds and 3 for 5 year olds. The programme is designed to equip students to function effectively at the Grade 1 level.
There is also a Special Education Department, which was built through the instrumentality of the Dutch Government, and 1 teacher. The programmes are designed to meet the needs of students in the Region who have special needs that affect their ability to learn. The students are grouped according to their abilities, and are later mainstreamed when sufficient improvement has been made.(From the Catherine Hall Primary School website.)
And an update on my fundraising:
THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you who have generously given to my trip. I have raised $1050 of the $1300 I need.
God is good!
