Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Kat says: "I’m an Australian girl who landed on the other side of the world in April 2011 after following my heart to Sierra Leone (I have two gorgeous cousins from there!) I had an incredible, life-changing experience in Sierra Leone and at Tribewanted John Obey beach during this time, and it has succeeded in drawing me back. I am a Dietitian and Nutritionist and I love working with communities and applying my knowledge and skills. A serial traveller since 2002, I have been blessed with opportunities to travel, study and work in many countries and with many different cultures.

During my last visit to John Obey beach I was involved in running nutrition education sessions with the Tribewanted staff, the Craig Bellamy Foundation and the John Obey Primary School. I braved the local market in Waterloo to learn about available and accessible produce and then worked with the kitchen team to design and implement a varied and healthy menu planner. I hope to continue to develop and encourage healthy lifestyles within the John Obey community and beyond in Sierra Leone. Come and join me for sunrise yoga on the beach!"

Whilst at JO earlier in the year Kat completed a quick survey with the local village primary school…

John Obey Primary School

Summary – June 2011

Enrolment: 50 students

– Nursery school (students commence at ~4-5 years) = 10 students

– Class 1 = 20 students

– Class 2 = 3 students

– Class 3 = 6 students

– Class 4 = 6 students

– Class 5 = 3 students

- Class 6 = 2 students

Class organisation (one teacher per group, i.e. 4 teachers):

– Nursery school

– Class 1

– Class 2 and 3

- Class 4, 5 and 6

Term dates (approximate):

– Term 1 (September-November)

– Term 2 (December-March)

– Term 3 (April-June)

School holidays:

– December (2 weeks)

– March/April (2 weeks, dependent on Easter)

– July-August (2 months)

Schedule:

8am – School commences

8 → 10am – Class

10 → 10.30am – Break (may be longer to allow children to return home to eat)

10.30am → 12midday – Class

12midday → 12.45pm – Lunch (with PE class occasionally included)

12.45pm → 2pm – Class

2pm – School finishes

• Teachers do not follow a strict class timetable, but cover all subjects. Students are given a report card at the end of each school term/year.

School fees (per student each term):

10,000 Leones

• Note – the school principal advised that fees were 15,000 Leones/term however families were unable to afford this. Principal keeps leger of all paid students and subsequent teacher wages

School donations:

Donations currently stored away with the school principal. Many donations of stationary have been left untouched as the teachers are unsure of how to divide these evenly. Donated books are occasionally read out in class or borrowed out to Class 4, 5 and 6 students in a ‘library’ system.

Additional book donations remain stored at Tribewanted John Obey beach until school is better organised.

After school club:

– Recommenced Wednesday 25/5. 49 students and all teachers attended John Obey beach for the afternoon for education sessions and games

– Follow-up session Wednesday 1/6. 47 students and all teachers attended.

– School very happy to continue weekly visits to John Obey beach

Goodwill from Tribewanted to John Obey ($500 per month) in-part supports school teachers