ABÉCHÉ LEARNING CENTER

 A JOY FILLED AND GRATEFULNESS FILLED THANKSGIVING TO ALL

The literacy level in Chad for French or Arabic is estimated to be anywhere from 35% (Mundi index 2014) to 54% (Operation World 2010) and considered to be one of the lowest in the world. Primary school attendance is about 50% and drops to 22% for high school (Unicef 2008-2012). At the Learning Center (Centre de Connaissance d`Abéché) we offer basic English classes and basic computer classes. Students join the classes to improve their work opportunities or with the hope of further education in an English context. Our desire is to empower these students with English but also to build relationships that may lead to spiritual discussions. Christian literature is also available at the center in French, English and Arabic should they want to read more about Christianity. There is also a library on site which anyone can join with books available in Arabic, French and English.

Sign at our front door

Let me give you a mental tour of the Center.

Sketch of Learning Center layout (not to scale)

The Center is enclosed in a bricked compound about 141 feet wide facing the street and about 216 feet deep. We are on a major paved street with a gate for cars and a door for entry into the compound. As you walk in the door there is a courtyard for parking vehicles and the library ahead with the generator in the left corner. A conference room is attached to the library as well as a small courtyard. To the right of the gate are the living quarters for the Chadian librarian and his family, who also carries out other duties for the Center. Beside the library building the classrooms and school office can be found and past the classrooms the living quarters for the teachers, the kitchen, and washrooms. Beyond the classroom building and beside the living quarters there is a small garden area.

Classrooms and office (taken from the garden area and facing the front gate and librarian`s residence)

Right side of living area (first door is my room) On other side of the small courtyard is the kitchen and other rooms and beyond the trees ahead are the bathrooms

On Thursday we spent the morning cleaning our classrooms in preparation for classes on Tuesday. It was hard work but a joy to work with others and to see the final results.

Dusting, sweeping and washing all four classrooms. In the background is the garden area and living quarters building

Saturday, we had registration for classes. Each of the 9 English level classes is limited to 15 students and the computer class is limited to 10 students. We had a total of 64 registrations.

Everyone was given a number and registered in order

Please pray for the teachers, Judith, Adrian, James and myself, and for the students and especially that this will be the beginning of a journey to spiritual life for some of these new students.