Living Books Curriculum goes to Nigeria
I have an important story to tell you:
One spring morning in neighboring villages in Nigeria, two boys were born. They were very much alike, these two. Both had better than avenge intelligence, both were warm and personable and both were filled with dreams for the future.
These boys grew to be men. They were still very much alike. Both married. Both had children. But there was a difference. One of the men continued to farm as his parent’s had; growing root crops and being cheated by unscrupulous buyers. His children were often sick due to the poor water supply.
The other was able to get the laws enforced that forbid price fixing in the markets. He was also able to teach the people of his village how to grow their crops more productively. He became an elder, conducted Bible studies and adult literacy classes. And, he worked with the villagers to hand dig the well that brought clean water.
What Made the Difference?
Have you ever wondered, as I have, what makes this kind of difference in people’s lives? It isn’t always native intelligence, talent or dedication. It isn’t that one person wants success and the other doesn’t.
The difference lies in what each person knows and how he or she makes use of that knowledge. In a word—education.
Education is what Jim and I are committed to bringing to children in remote places, such as rural Nigeria. Because the need is huge, I am writing to you. UNESCO reports there are 118 million boys and girls who have no access to education, yet within them is the potential to be history makers and nation builders.
Living Books Curriculum exists to help educate not only homeschooled children but impoverished children in Nigeria and elsewhere.
Shortly I will be leaving to to train the teachers of our four schools in the use of the Charlotte Mason educational method—a literature-based, learn by doing approach that avoids the pitfalls of a dumbed down curriculum often seen with workbooks and textbooks.
An important part of the trip is the establishment of a training center at the site of our lab school, near Lagos. The training center will be a prototype of many more to come.
Check in from November 15 through the 15th for updates from Nigeria.
Tags: Charlotte Mason, Nigeria
November 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
It sounds wonderful!! Perhaps after your return you could share with us how you came to Charlotte Mason and what made you feel or think she had the right ideas.