DAY SIX

This morning we visited the catch-up centre that Riverview supports in conjunction with AEE. This is a school program for street children to allow them to obtain enough education to re-enter the school system and take examinations. I felt quite humbled by this experience. Not only because of the vision of the gentleman who started this program on his own to help these children, but by the kids themselves. Being a person who never really enjoyed school and used to make up any excuse not to go, I am totally in awe of the young men and women who may have no where to sleep, may not have any food in their bellies and yet make the effort everyday to attend school and to study hard.

One of the excellent teachers named Stephen provided us with an overview of how the school operated and what they were studying said that the main reason why the children would not attend school on a particular day is because they had to go looking for food!

Also the decision has been recently been made here to change the second language from French to English so not only must they learn their usual lessons but they must learn them in a new language that many of them have only recently been exposed to.

The young people were amazing to spend time with, happily showing us the lesson books that they had. 217 students attend the school which has only 3 classrooms. Approximately 35 students passed their entrance examinations and will be able to attend a public school program now.

The centre also provides the children with knowledge of social interactions which will further assist them to integrate into society successfully.

This is such a worthwhile enterprise and has left a huge impression on all of us who visited.

Karen.