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At last! On Thursday, October 1 we began construction of our new single-classroom school building in the village of Gobila. The deadline for completion is November 15th, but we're all hopeful it will be sooner. It's going to be great with one classroom, small office and an open shelter for small work projects or gatherings. 
October 1 was also the 1st day of school. Since our building isn't
ready yet, we started under the shelter we used last year for
preschool. It's working out fine so far. The students are doing great
- what a difference a few months of preschool made! They're starting
out with an advanced level compared to other 1st grade classrooms
simply because they've already adjusted to coming to school, listening
to the teacher, washing their uniforms; and they know they're not
allowed to hit each other! Not that they've got that last one mastered
yet. 
The
teacher, Bazie, is doing a fantastic job. He has a high school
education and the only training he received is what we provided last
year; but I'm so impressed with him. We also have Olivia Vitale, the
Education major working alongside him. She's learning French as she
goes along, but they're managing to communicate and she brings all
kinds of new ideas to the classroom. Then we also have Sara who is
spending a couple hours/day with them. She's got energy I don't think
I ever had and gets so involved with the kids. They love her already. 
This
week we pulled Bazie out of class to participate in a conference on
Christian Education here in the capital city. It will be a great
training/networking for him. We're blessed to have Sarata who also
worked with the preschools last year, take over the class while Bazie
is gone. School Year 2009/2010 is off to a great start!
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