I\u2019m writing this as we recover from an electrical outage due to heavy rains. The power line connecting our village generator to the school was felled by a tree just as I was working on NTS\u2019 three-year budget. As frustrating as it was to be suddenly plunged into the dark, I\u2019m grateful for the timing. It was a \u201clight bulb\u201d moment. I realized our school should have its own small electrical generator so when the village goes out, we can continue. And into the budget it goes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the kind of problem-solving that makes me proud \u2013 both of myself and my village. While they can\u2019t provide the generator they will do everything they can to help. In fact, their help is why we\u2019re here at all. It\u2019s taken years of problem-solving as well as planning, pushing and sometimes pleading to build Nyamboyo Technical School. But suddenly, we\u2019re preparing to graduate our first cohort of nationally certified professionals. We\u2019re REAL! And we\u2019re not going away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s an overused phrase but, in our case, it truly has taken a village. There are many unsung heroes among us and I\u2019d like to make a few, overdue introductions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our teachers<\/strong> \u2013 For the last two years, our 4 teachers have donated their time. Each of them are working professionals with their own businesses and families to feed. Still for two years, each of them has donated 4 \u2013 5 hours daily<\/strong> to teach. Frankly, no amount of money could ever genuinely repay their selfless commitment to our nearly 60 youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (We plan to pay salaries, however modest, within the next year.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our elders<\/strong>\u2013 I would like to honor Mr. Tangaso, who is Nyamboyo\u2019s Village Elder and one of our great supporters. Originally a farmer who worked his own land for food, Mr. Tangaso now oversees the well-being of our community. He counsels individuals and families, encouraging us to live in peace and harmony. He forwards community issues to the local government as well as represents the judgements of the government back to the community. His many other responsibilities include conducting village meetings (Barazas), attending weddings, burials, and other community events. He is also one of the founding members of the Nyamboyo Seventh Day Adventist Church and is the church council leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout all his responsibilities, he is one of NTS\u2019 great recruiters. He never misses an opportunity to mention the school and encourage youth and their families to enroll. When I attend events (fundraisers, Barazas, and church services) he speaks, without fail, about NTS and its importance in our community. Mr. Tangaso, it is with the greatest gratitude that we applaud your efforts to help the NTS community thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our parents<\/strong> \u2013 In our community, it is not unusual for children as young as 6 to work full-time to add to the family’s subsistence income. So when parents send their children to NTS, they must work longer hours or take on second, even third jobs. Such is their commitment to elevating their sons and daughters permanently out of poverty. Today, it is my honor to recognize our parents for their sacrifice and support. They motivate us all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our community<\/strong> \u2013 Our school is housed in the village community center, which is donated for NTS\u2019 weekday classes. (On weekends, the building is used for village meetings.) In return for the donation, we maintain and improve the facilities and grounds. Every morning, from 8:30am \u2013 9am, 58 NTS students repair, clean, and maintain the facilities. That\u2019s a total of 29 work hours a day, five days a week. The building is clean, structurally sound, and the grounds perfectly groomed. We are teaching our students how to improve and take pride in where they live and work. This is the heart of ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many plans for the year ahead. We are expanding our student body from 58 to 75 and preparing to graduate our first cohort in January. We are opening two businesses and building a school garden\/nutrition program. There will be many more heroes joining us as the new school year unfolds. I hope you will stay tuned and perhaps consider joining yourself. Where ever you are in the world there is always something you can do. Our school and our village welcome you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click here to learn more about becoming a part of the Nyamboyo community.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I\u2019m writing this as we recover from an electrical outage due to heavy rains. The power line connecting our village generator to the school was felled by a tree just as I was working on NTS\u2019 three-year budget. As frustrating as it was to be suddenly plunged into the dark, I\u2019m grateful for the timing. […]<\/p>\n Read More