A School is Where Imagination Grows

     My three bio children start their new year at school tomorrow. They are very excited to see their friends and get back to learning. It's probably more the friends than the learning. Their sister. Ina, is still on break for her year in Cameroon. I'm sure that I will be posting and sending new first day of school pics to family and on social media. Today, though, I was praying for Ina and the children in Cameroon. While children in this country receive free public education, in many countries education is not free for all. Ina and her center mates are sponsored by Americans but many of the children in Cameroon do not have the privilege to attend school. This is one of the great things that Shaping Destiny does for the children in the villages surrounding Batibo, Cameroon. (Here is the link about sponsoring http://www.shapingdestiny.org/sponsor-a-child/)   While I was visiting Ina I had a chance to see her school and Head Mistress Ms. Mary. I love these picture! The simplicity of the school, the saturation of colors, the beauty of the landscape where these children learn and the love of Ms. Mary are fostering the imagination of these children's growing spirit.

Image 1. Is the home of the 3rd & 4th form Teacher

Image 2. This is the elementary school. It is the equivalent of  k-6 grade.

Image 3. This is Ms. Mary, the children's Head Mistress. She is strong, fierce, brilliant and amazing! She has to be to grow these children and give them a future filled with knowledge. In her community she is an elder and is very well respected for the work she does. I talked to her a little bit about her role in the lives of these children. She feels privileged that God has entrusted her to this mission and she takes it very seriously. She carries the strength you would expect from someone who holds the title of Head Mistress. Even while sitting in her home and eating granuts I did not want to cross her.

Image 4. The sign explains that this school is certified by the Cameroon government to run providing basic education the the children in the village that can afford to pay. The P.S. stands for Protestant School of Batibo in the village of Guka.

Image 5. Some of the paintings on the walls of the school. They learn in English and French is also taught.

Image 6. The 3rd & 4th class form rooms