Faculty meeting

When I was a teacher, I dreaded those meetings at the end of the school day. Somehow, they seemed to drag on too long and add work to my life. However, now I have a whole new picture in my mind of a faculty meeting. When four LWB Education volunteers traveled to our Believe In Me Too school in Hunan, we sat down with our teachers and SWI staff to talk about how school was going for them and for us.

What a great time we had. The teachers told us what a typical day for the kids is like. Each morning, the children arrive and sit at their desks. The teacher greets them and asks if anyone wants to sing a song or say something to the class. When a child volunteers, the teachers take the lead of the child to shape the learning of the day. We saw how the teachers used this child centered approach to teach writing and math. They also teach paper folding, drawing and dance. At the end of their morning, the children put on their shoes and go outside to play on the playground.

We had a great time presenting the teachers with gifts for their classroom. We gave them special safety scissors for children that cannot use their hands very well along with pencil grips and specially curved spoons. And, we gave them a big supply of bubbles to use with the children to help them learn to speak more clearly. All of these items will be used with the physical therapists who will soon visit this school to work with the children.

We asked the teachers how things were going and were delighted to hear from the SWI staff member who oversees the children that the orphanage nannies have commented on how much easier the children are to manage after having been in school. The kids are happy and more eager to listen. And, they are always ready for school in the morning. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that after a newspaper story about our school described our program, parents of special needs children from the surrounding city have been calling and asking how they can enroll their children in the orphanage school. What a compliment! Families are looking to the good things in an orphanage and wanting to participate in it.

The teachers are happy with how school is going and look forward to additional Montessori training this summer. They are always looking for new ways of teaching their students about the world that they live in…especially as we extend the school day for older children to morning and afternoon sessions next year. We talked about planting flowers or vegetables and they like that idea very much.

If I ever go back to teaching in the classroom and have to attend a faculty meeting, memories of this wonderful faculty meeting will remain in my mind and put a smile on my face.

Linda Mitchell
Education

Music to our Ears

The children in LWB Education are blessed by so many people. There are those that pray for the children in our programs, those that generously give of their finances to support our schools and those that work directly with the children. When we recently asked one of our monitors how she felt about working for LWB, she said:

"Frankly speaking, I love this job. Whenever I stay with the kids, I feel very grateful because I can do something for them, for the special children. And most important is I know what love is and how to love others. This is very crucial in my whole life."

Our monitor’s words were music to our ears. We are so pleased that in our school programs we are not doing “for” the children. Rather, we are working alongside compassionate, kind people all over China that have the best interest of the children in their hearts. Every single person that offers their prayers, financially supports our schools, or works directly in our programs makes a world of difference to each and every child. We can only continue because of kindness such as this.

Linda Mitchell

Education Director

SOCKS!

In preparation for my upcoming trip to China for LWB Education, I've let people know that I am happy to carry donations to the orphanages that I visit. The mother of a really special young man named Zane contacted me and asked if I would be willing to carry socks to China for the babies and children that I meet. I said sure! Today, two boxes of new and adorable socks arrived at my front door. When I opened the first box, I found the following letter. I am in awe of the compassion that Zane has for other children, a world away that he will never meet. I cannot wait to deliver his gifts.

Here's what Zane writes: "Ni Hao! My name is Zane and I am 16 years old….As part of my confirmation class, I was required to do a service project that did not include asking people for money. With the help of my sponsor, Joe, I decided to ask people in my church community to donate socks for kids in China. Over four years ago, I had the privilege to visit the orphanage where my sister Rong Rong lived until she was 3 ½ years old. A lady who worked at the orphanage told my mom that it was hard to find cotton socks in China…so I thought it would be a nice thing to ask people to donate. Going to China when I was 12 years old, made a big difference in my life. I have studied Mandarin for four years. I hope to be able to speak Chinese fluently someday. Thank you for helping take these socks to China. I want children in China to know that other people—even teenagers worry about them, and care that they might have a better life." Zane H.

Linda Mitchell

Director of Education