Cooperation

Joy and Don Hepburn getting to know

some of the Somali Women of Iftin.

With exams complete, the Somali women of Iftin have finished their first English module at the Eastleigh Community Centre. Before we begin the second part of their ESL course (which officially starts in January 2009), we are working together on building trust and team work among the ladies. This is of foundational importance as we strive to form self-help groups and micro-Enterprise initiatives among these women in the coming years. We are so thankful for the Hepburns who have joined us in this work. Please pray for them as they introduce cooperative learning methods and strategies to the teachers and students of the Community Centre.

There are numerous barriers to cooperation that overshadow much of the Somali refugee community: clanism, mistrust, unforgiveness, a spirit of independence, and a fierce survival instinct are but a few of the factors. For many people living in exile, overcoming these sources of disunity is key to experiencing a fuller life.

Working together --

One small step in the right direction!

Today in our ESL classes, we had the women form groups of three and compete in a scavenger hunt of sorts around the community centre and neighbourhood. The ladies gave their team various names, like: "Fresh flowers", "Lion Girls", and "Stars" (The flower theme was by far the most popular among the names chosen). It was wonderful to see the ladies pulling together, translating their clues, and figuring out the puzzling challenges. It soon became apparent that the teams that worked best together, were the ones that were moving ahead!

Erica with the scavenger hunt winners -- "Team Stars!"

In the end, it was a narrow victory by team "Stars" who not only finished first in time, but were able to complete all but one of the fifteen challenges.

We are all winners!

It was a great day and a fantastic way to kick off of month of cooperative learning. We are very excited for what God has in store for these special women!