Ngobe Bugle Schools Growth 2004–2006

2005 School Lunch Program

The Quebrada Molejon School has received authorization to be enrolled in the school lunch program. This means that about one hundred children will have one good meal a day to eat! In addition to this the Representative of the Institute Council has also bestowed the two scholarships of the Council on students at the Molejon School, one as an award for academic excellence and one as an award for community service!

In June 2006, as Mona Representatives visited the Comarca, we learned that the lunch program has not yet been functional. As a stop-gap solution until the government begins this service, a small study group in West Richland, Washington, has contributed to the program by donating pots and spoons and some food. We celebrate small groups of people taking action in this way to make it possible for these children to have a meal each day, while all await the promise of a luch program to be fulfilled.

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2004-5 Teacher Training

Fourteen Ngobe-Bugle attend teacher training sponsored by FUNDESCU and the Mona Foundation in December 2004. Approved by the Ngobe-Bugle Institute Council and the only courses accredited by the Ministry of Education, Mona provided computer, mathematics and English instruction.

In the morning computer class, Adan Bejerano taught an excellent and wellorganized forty hour course on the Internet: introduction, basic characteristics and uses, connectiong to the Web, toolbar and menus, search engines, email, and avoiding viruses. The teachers were excited to receive their own email addresses, send email, and chose a weighty research topic to investigate, “globalization and its impact on Indigenous cultures.” Several participants offered comments. Alexi shared, “It was like a miracle to me.” Martire said, “This is a tool that can stimulate the development of the entire population of the Comarca. It helps us to realize our highest potential of knowledge.” Victorino offered, “This technology center is an open window to the world of knowldeg for our noble homeland.”

In the afternoon, a requested Mathematics class was given by Dr. Randie Gottlieb on fractions, decimals, percents, measurements, geometric figures and solid forms. These topics were new to many and were explained in Spanish and then retaught in the Ngobere language. In some cases, such as “lowest common denominator” there was no Ngobere word and the participants had a lively discussion to create a new term.

In the photograph are the teachers and participants. Left to right: 1st row: Alexi, Martire, Victorino, Rebeca, Rigo, Genaro. Row 2-3: Corina & Venancia (cooks), Maria Teresa, Desi, Benita, Julio, Ceci, Elmon. Back row: Roberto, Ismael, Steve.

The participants also shared thoughts on the mathematics class. Roberto said, “I learned more in the past two weeks than I learned in ten years at school. We are happy to share what we have learned with our children.” Elmon shared, “Practice is fundamental to education, and the application of mathematics to daily life is where we truly learn the theory and reinforce it with understanding.” From Julio, “The real mystery of education is having the love and faith that we can do it.” And from Ismael, “Profound thanks for the gift of wisdom and practical useful knowledge that we can apply in our own environment with our children. All of the Mona seminars are jewels of understanding. They are unforgettable memories that I will carry in my heart.”

Randie and Adan were assisted by a youth who traveled with the Mona team, Annie Bateman. Annie journeyed to this part of the world for the first time and was a real support to the classes. Certificate Ceremony The courses ended with a well-attended formal ceremony and certificates from the Ministry of Education. Randie shares that “The teachers impressed us with their dedication, perserverance,and profound thirst for knowledge. They worked hard and learned quickly. While educational opportunities are quite limited for the Ngobes, and the difficulties they face are indeed great, even greater is their intense desire to learn. They recognize the importance of the material and spiritual working hand in hand, and are trying to further their education in order to be of greater service.”

In addition to the teaching work, the Mona/FUNDESCU team brought many education supplies and two doctors to offer medical services. Dr. Steve Gottlieb and Dr. Manaji Suzuki provided medical services at the SOLOY Hospital in the mornings and attended a line of grateful patients at the Institute in the afternoons and evenings. Between them, they saw over 250 patients for a variety of ills, including respiratory infections, malnutrition, gastroenteritis, skin problems and parasites.

A DVD was recently created by Microsoft Panama to share the "Victorino" story about these Ngobe-Bugle tutorial schools.

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Certification of Five Native Teachers

Three years ago five willing souls undertook an amazing goal, to graduate from high school themselves and become certified to teach the children in their remote villages. They have now done it! The Mona Foundation celebrates their success and their devoted efforts.

The Mona Foundation consulted with FUNDESCU to obtain a certification path for these teachers. This required them to complete their high school education. FUNDESCU provided a GED certification program and the Mona Foundation has contributed $9,000 a year for three years to provide the courses. There have been several paths to this education. Some classes have been held at the SOLOY Computer Center. Several two-week training Program trips have been provided as well for math, science, and computer training. For the past year, the teachers would teach all week in their village classes and then hike down the mountain for long hours on Saturday mornings to complete GED classes all day every saturday. The teachers would do their homework during the week and return again every week to take courses. This path of study earned each one a high school graduation and also fulfilled the original government requirements for teacher certification.

Now the goverment has reassessed the school needs and upgraded the standard for teachers. These teachers will next embark on two years of college to continue their certification requirements. For the full story and ongoing developments of this amazing project, please see the Ngabe Bukle Universidad section of this website.

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2004 Teacher Certification

The certification program is proceeding well. Certified teachers will be placed in the consolidated schools. Five of the teachers have received additional course credits toward their certification. We also received word that some of the teachers who wanted to take courses were unable to do so for lack of funds. The teachers could not attend for lack of $3 a day for transportation and food! Such dear dedication and desire will be rewarded with these expenses now being covered by the CTLC Center for Technology administrative budget. The Mona Foundation has deep admiration for the efforts and desires of these dedicated teachers. They have asked for more training in reading, writing, composition, and computer training now that the SOLOY computer center is built.

New programs are being planned for December and January funded through $3,000 in contributions from Microsoft® employees. Dr. Randie Gottlieb will again travel to offer courses, and those requested are in Math, Decimals and Fractions, Geometry, Science activities, bilingual books and making simple puppets.

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