Sunday, February 25, 2007
Meanwhile, the women visited the Kaaga Methodist Church were the Compassion Program was in progress. Youngsters were scattered across the church ground, drinking porridge after being served from a large pot cooked over a nearby open fire. After photos, we wandered on to the almost completed manse. Once finished, the church will get a regular pastor, but until then, lay ministers and the district church leader are filling as ministers at this church. We also visited three unfinished classrooms. Since last year, concrete flooring has been installed as a tentative step. Finished concrete will come later. Rock walls and roof are in place and they can be used as temporary classrooms as blackboards are up. Stucco finish on the inside, doors and windows will finish the building. Classes on vocational skills (machine embroidery, cooking, hair styling, etc.) and religious education are given. Student participants are chosen by welfare workers as being the most needy of children. The church sponsors this Saturday program within the guidelines of Compassion International, which supplies food for breakfast and lunch, social workers, and part-time teachers. The program pays partial school fees and supplies uniforms so that, hopefully, students will remain in school, get an education and improve their lot.