Graduation Day
Kenny and I spent many days discussing and planning. It felt a little like a wedding, all that prep work and then it was all over in a few short hours.
Richard is a good friend that grew up locally here, married a missionary's daughter, and lived in the states for several years. They moved back to Ghana with their two little girls to do mission work a few days before we did and we have enjoyed getting to know them. When we started thinking about getting a moderator/translator, I immediately thought of him. He speaks at schools and colleges and has a passion for young people. He did a wonderful job! He managed to translate for himself as well.
Jay Weaver from the Palm Ministries Board was here and had a short devotional. Richard translated to Fante of course.
Leonard Meador was here from CAM. He is in charge of all the Vo-Tech schools that they run. We were privileged to host him at our house. The children enjoyed having a "grandpa" for a few days! He gave a short talk as well. He was the one that had the dream for what this school could be and it was very special to have him along for this big day.
Then Kenny gave an overview of the term and thanked everyone for all the support they had given. He then called the students up one at a time and presented them with their letter of attachment. The normal process here is that they take that and go work under someone as an apprentice for six months. They get little or no pay during that time but it is a way of proving that they have learned what their teacher said they did. They hope then to be hired by the person they worked for. At the end of those six months they will come back here with their letter signed and Kenny will give them the actual certificate or diploma.
They were all so nervous that morning. After all their hard hours and commitment, they finally had something to show for it!
Kenny said a few words about each of them and I will try to remember a little of what he said before he read the letter.
Emmanuel was the first student he met. He hopes to go on to further schooling maybe in engineering. Emmanuel is the youngest of the four (and the quietest) but has proven himself a diligent student.
Emmanuel (from Abbina) was the last student we met. We had been praying for another student or two and then Emmanuel showed up. He is a changed man from when we first met him. At the start of the year we honestly didn't think he would make it the whole way through. But by the end of the term he was at the top of the class. If a moto came in, Kenny could put him in charge of it and could depend on it getting done. We have a lot of hope for this young man's future.
Soon after Kenny was put in charge of the shop, a young teen started coming over after he finished at school. He was interested in cars and would ask to sweep floors and any little odd jobs Kenny had. One day he told Kenny he has an older brother that might want to come. Kenny told him to send him over. Joseph showed up the next day. He had drove taxi to make some money even though he didn't have a license. He had the distinction of being the only one with any driving skills at the beginning of the term and therefore had the most mechanical knowledge as well. From the first day he was "all in". No matter how big or small the job, Joseph could be depended on to do it well. He did some body work, he really enjoyed the transmission rebuild, as a matter of fact he just enjoyed every part of mechanic work. It will be interesting to see where he takes the knowledge he gained here.
And last but not least, is Gideon. Gideon had met Noah Beachy long before we arrived in Ghana and given him his number because he wanted to come to school. Gideon grew up in the Volta region on the eastern side of Ghana, and when he moved here at the beginning of the term knew only one or two people in this area. He was right Kenny's age and often challenged Kenny with his deep thinking.
Then the four students went up and Emmanuel read the speech they had written together.
These three are the teachers for next term. The ultimate goal is to have Ghanaian teachers with one white man as administrator. From left to right is Ernest, Albert, and Anthony. Albert will be here mainly to answer the hard questions and manage the big projects. He is a mechanic and taught around six years before retiring. His name was given to Kenny when they went to rebuild the school bus transmission in August and he has been here ever since. He loves the work here and is a fantastic teacher. Ernest was referred to Kenny by one of the Salt employees. He recently completed mechanical schooling at Cape Coast Tech and is an active member in his church. He needs to gain experience and confidence, but shows promise as a teacher. Anthony is a former student of the school and very passionate about seeing it succeed. He needs experience as well but Kenny hopes with some guidance he will make an excellent teacher as well. Pray for these men as they form a team and learn to work together. Pray for Kenny as he teaches them how to teach. The future of this school depends on finding dependable workers and this is the first step.
After a closing song and prayer, the students and teachers went and took pictures. Patricia and I scurried around and got lunch ready.
Traditionally when you serve a meal, you fill everyone's plates for them. We gave them each a grilled chicken leg, heaped their plate with rice, a bit of tomato stew/gravy over the rice, a small spoonful of cabbage salad, and a small spoonful of fried plantain. They ate and filled plates to take home till the food was finished. We had figured for 90 people and only served 60. But nothing ever goes to waste in Ghana!
Kelsey and Austin loved helping Patricia cook.
Kelsey stirring the tomato stew.
Chopping plantain
I would not have survived the day without Patricia and her younger brother Anthony. It was especially nice that when I came back from talking to people, they had everything washed up!
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