May 2016 Update from Ibrahima

Lunch meeting with some of the teachers.

Greetings from Koro!

Many things happened during this last month.

I like to teach our students the story of Joseph and his brother in Egypt. I always learn something when I teach. When Joseph makes a trick to keep Benjamin and treats him well, there is mourning on Jacob’s side because he did not know that his second loved son was in his first loved son’s powerful, carrying and loving hands. At the end of the story they all end up in Egypt. This story gives me a picture of us when we mourn at a temporally loss of one dear to us. The only difference is that we know how our story will end, while Jacob did not know it. The death of loved ones is painful at first sight but factually is a subject of joy in Christ.  This past month we did witness the departure of friends, families, supporting ones, all very dear to us. Please let’s find our consolation in the Master God, for He is Love.

The GBLK, a group of student that read the bible in weekly basis in Koro, held a student’s retreat at the Grace School building. It was a happy day. We are thankful for the heart-opened Teachers meeting. The teachers all devoted themselves to the same goal: the need to synchronize for better results.

The second term exam was good and students have worked well. At this speed most of them should have no problem for DEF exam. Teachers and students are actively preparing for the last term exam by the end of May and the DEF exam on Jun 6th. Please pray for good result this time. Last year was a nightmare.
GRACE STUDENTS DAY 2016 is planned for Jun 10th after the DEF is done. The teachers meeting pointed to this event as something that can distract the students from their DEF preparation.

Construction is still on. We give priority to the families around us for taking their drinking water, then we use the remaining water at the construction. Therefore the speed is dictated by how much water is available at the very day. The technician that came to give us technical instruction on the work, spent few days with us. He then followed Dr. Brandon’s path visiting the mountains and cultural sites in the Dogon Country. He appreciated it and was very amazed by these wonders.

In previous years at this time the water crisis was causing many intestinal or diarrheic diseases to the kids, but this year we haven’t recorded those cases.
In January Dr. Brandon treated the students against worms. I did not imagine that this quick and one time treatment could have such a prolonged impact on the kids’ health. We again thank him and all those who made this life saving trip possible.

Together we have made a big move toward our goal of good education in this disadvantaged part of the world.  We thank you for your partnership, God bless you.
 
Ibrahima