In the pursuit of fostering independence and bright futures for vulnerable students, Story Time remains steadfast in its mission. Through scholarships, mentorship, empowerment programs, and diligent monitoring, Story Time endeavors to provide holistic support to students facing various challenges, including inflation and hunger. Here's a glimpse into our activities during Q1 of 2024.
Student Sponsorship welcomes new students and prepares Seniors for exams
Story-Time-sponsored students meeting with Story Time representative
Story Time currently sponsors 21 students, who all have met the continuing term requirements including grades and attendance. During February, Story Time representatives continued the identification process for new Form 1 (Freshman) students in need of support. Six students are being considered for sponsorship pending home visits, as part of Story Time’s scholarship selection process. Five of these students were not going to sit for examinations due to failure for the parents to pay school fees prior to the exams. With Story Time sponsorship, the students and guardians are striving to achieve their educational goals.
Meanwhile, Story Time’s eight Form 4 (Senior) students are now self-boarding as we enter the MSCE exam preparations. Form 4 students are able to stay close to the school, participate in study groups with materials provided, and their basic needs (including staple food and soap) are taken care of so that they can focus on this important exam.
Story-Time-sponsored Form 4 students with Story Time representative
Mathematical instruments and calculators are also provided for the 14 sponsored students in Forms' 2 and 4 as they are now writing Mock exams. They were very grateful seeing that they will now be able to solve and calculate mathematical problems with ease.
The parents and guardians are extremely grateful for the support of their children and grandchildren:
““Thank you so very much for every support you are providing.
We know it is not easy with the way things are right now for one to provide this kind of support as prices of many items have gone up. Please pass our gratitude and gratefulness on each and everything you are doing towards our children’s support through which I could have not managed to provide.
May God bless you all abundantly for everything.” ”
Teacher Capacity Building sessions will happen this term
Collaboration with school management highlighted the importance of ongoing professional development for educators. Identified areas of focus include innovative teaching methodologies and effective assessment strategies. By investing in teacher training, Story Time aims to enhance the quality of education and inspire both educators and students alike.
Women Empowerment Program elected a new female teacher
138 female students are engaged in the Women Empowerment Program. The students voted and chose a female teacher, Mrs. Samu, to oversee them this year. Our engagement with female students underscores the significance of empowering young women beyond the classroom. In previous years, we have focused on building a girls’ bathroom and sewing reusable sanitary pads. Through dialogue and planning sessions, students expressed eagerness to acquire practical skills such as tailoring, baking, and entrepreneurship. By nurturing their talents and aspirations, we strive to equip these young women for success in both academic and professional spheres.
Mrs. Samu is not only a primary school teacher but she also has a certificate in Home Craft and experience in several small-scale businesses. Mrs. Samu welcomed the idea and is willing to volunteer to oversee the meetings which will require reports on school performance and attendance of the girls, counseling on any issues that the girls present to her, group counseling, and skill building monitored by Story Time representatives.
Meeting of WEP students
Fighting for Food Security as Hunger & Inflation remain challenges in our partner community
Regular monitoring of student progress enables us to address emerging challenges and provide timely support. While celebrating improved academic performance, we remain attuned to the diverse needs of our beneficiaries, including those affected by unforeseen circumstances such as bereavement. The cyclone season drastically cut down crop yields, and we continue to see its effects on hunger and food insecurity this season.
Students are unable to get extra work by farming after school and inflation has increased the cost of goods by almost double since last term. All of the families supported by Story Time reported not having enough maize to cook 2 meals a day.
“We were relying on mango fruits as food which we could eat when coming to school, but the mangoes are now out of season and our parents are failing to afford maize which can be made into porridge which we can eat as breakfast. We [usually have] one meal in a day,” stated one of the students.
So far, we have managed to purchase and distribute 1 bag of 50kgs maize and 2 packets of 1kg sugar each for all the 27 story time student beneficiaries. There was extreme hunger such that some households had gone three days without food and were shedding tears of joy upon seeing the maize and sugar.
““Indeed God hears the cry of the widow and most needy person. This woman and her five children have spent days and nights without eating proper food. She would go in the fields and pluck pumpkin leaves which she would cook to eat with the children with no Nsima just for them to survive. May God bless this organization and whoever is behind this initiative. Thank you so very much.” ”
2024 Programs aim to address community concerns
Looking ahead, Story Time remains committed to supporting student success through student sponsorship, mentorship, and community engagement. Plans are underway to address food insecurity among students through our Food Security Project and further enhance teacher capacity through training initiatives.
As we reflect on the quarter, we are reminded of the transformative power of education and collective action. Through our collaborative efforts, Story Time and our partners continue to make meaningful strides towards empowering students and building brighter futures. Together, we continue the story of hope, resilience, and endless possibilities.