Mawuvio’s Outreach Programme [Affectionately known as MOP]

Renee, one of the co-directors, explained this to me one afternoon: In Ghana, education is supposed to be free and compulsory for children through age 18, I believe.  The government says “free education” and literally means the education/knowledge itself is what’s free.  After that, there are multiple fees to make ends meet which add up.  The government does not provide funds for basic teaching supplies, like paper.  When a teacher wants to give a test, not only is the student renting the desk they’re sitting at, they are also paying for the paper the test is printed on.  Many families, and especially in Mawuvio’s neighborhood, might be able to afford the first two terms, but not the third, so many students have gone to the first half of a grade when they come to MOP.  Appearance is incredibly important in Ghana. If a student is not wearing the proper uniform, perhaps wearing sandals or flip-flops which sometimes aren’t allowed, or dirty, they can be sent home for the day. If they can’t afford the school fees, they aren’t admitted for the term.

Mawuvio’s Outreach Programme began about 5 years ago.  It provides truly free education to its students and one meal a day.  Many of the students don’t have a mom, dad, or neither.  One of my level 2 girls is 13, lives with her grandma, and is raising a set of 1 ½ year old twins. And you thought you had a hard day? Yeah, same here, nevermind.  In the early days, they didn’t have uniforms, and because it was not yet recognized as a school, it was come as you are and when you want.  The students actually voted to have uniforms so they would be more legitimate.  Every school has uniforms, MOP’s are blue and khaki, a nearby school has orange and brown uniforms, another down the road has green plaid.  English and Math are taught every morning and the afternoon rotates between a few different subjects.  They currently have about 59 students, 7 classes, and 4 or 5 full time teachers.

I first visited Mawuvio’s on Friday, 13 September with Susan, one of our program coordinators.  My first day at Mawuviou’s was the following Wednesday, 18 September. I mentioned to Renee that I’ve never taught before, have only been a swim coach and helped with VBS one week one summer.  So I’ve been around kids, but that’s the extent of it. As a result, I thought a teacher’s aide would be better than being in charge of an entire class. On my first day, one of the teachers had just resigned for a better post and another was out sick.  I taught the latter’s class, Level 5.  The students call you either Sir or Madam.  Sir Austin, who teaches Level 4, had been covering Level 5 for the day, as well.  He showed me the book they were going to use for science. “We’re talking about parts of a flower today. Why don’t you interact with them a bit and get to know them.  I’ll check on you in a few minutes.” We did introductions and began.  Renee came by at one point said it looked like we were doing alright and went on.  Sir Austin never came back.  Thankfully, the students are between 14 and 17 years and were pretty calm.  “Does the teacher read from the book and you take notes?” I asked.  “Well, he writes on the board and we copy in our notebooks,” they told me. I remembered seeing the other teachers doing this and so we defined and labeled parts of a flower.  Day 1: terrifying and complete. 

I came back the next day and taught Level 2.  There were about 12 kids who were more lively than Level 5.  This time we did Religious and Moral Ethics.  It’s a bit different than in the States.  Christianity, Islam, and Traditionalism are the most common religious practices.  Basically, the general ideas of each are covered and we talk about good character and making good choices.  Sir Steady started off the class for me.  Teaching is different as well.  There’s a lot of repetition and, at this level, not as much writing. 

Friday brought a different routine.  For about the first two hours MOP has its version of church/worship.  Kwame, the other co-director, opens with a speech saying good morning and such, then one of the directors gives a sermon, then praise and worship led by Madam Lawrenda, and then warfare.  The last is the kids’ favorite.  Even though Christianity and Islam are the most common practices, many people still hold more traditional beliefs and revert to them in times of need and trouble.  Here, there is a bigger emphasis on the devil and not being evil or wicked versus being saved, redemption, and perhaps the “prettier” version of religion. Traditional beliefs include that if you wish someone ill, you can have a spell cast which might be evidenced by a dream in which you are chased by an arrow or lion.  Warfare is something you just have to experience, but includes a lot of cheering, shouting, stomping, and is louder than the worship songs, if that’s even possible.