Taruwa Magazine Article

I'm featured in a magazine!!


The magazine is published by my friend Lydia Idakula Sobogun.  We have been friends pretty much since I first came to Nigeria in 2001.  Lydia is passionate about development and social change in Nigeria.  She uses her gifts and talents through the entertainment industry. 

See a description below taken from Gbagyichild's Facebook Page:


Gbagyichild Entertainment produces events and projects that promote social change and development through the medium of art expressions. Our events enable the projection of a positive image of Nigeria to the rest of Africa and the wider world.

Our vision is to change the world, one art at a time! Our mission is to promote social change and development especially but not restricted to the areas of self employment among youths, cultural exchange, tourism and the preservation of Nigeria's history.

We are the conveners of TARUWA, a monthly gathering of artistic and intellectual minds, which creates a platform for artistes and art lovers to express themselves. On a typical TARUWA evening, we have poets, vocalists, instrumentalists, spoken word artistes, performing. It is always a rich artistic cocktail.

We celebrated 4 years of Taruwa in August last year, and we have had over a hundred shows, and counting. We have been a part of the process of some Nigeria's top artistes like MI, Bez (who actually started his career from Taruwa), Sage Hasson (Nigeria's first recognized spoken word poet) and Chiedu Ifeozo who had his first performance at Taruwa and has since been featured on CNN inside Africa

We also publish the Taruwa Quarterly arts and culture magazine. 

Another one of our projects is THROUGH THEIR EYES. A series of photography exhibitions that let us see our society through the eyes of children aged 6-12. We have had two life changing exhibits in Abuja which had among other people, the legendary Tar Uko, and the minister of culture and tourism in attendance.

Through our organization and events, we have given young people a sense of direction with their lives and has also enriched them. We dialogue on how to make our society a better place and we have also done community outreaches to orphanages.

We have attracted a lot of media attention over the years. We’ve been featured on almost every TV station in Nigeria, some of which are broadcasted all over Africa. We’ve also been interviewed/featured in almost every magazine and newspaper in Nigeria and recently on CNN.

We believe that with our relationship with the press and media, our activities and events will naturally gather media attention through out Africa, and globally. 

So...back to the magazine article.  Lydia asked me to write about my experiences with culture shock coming to Nigeria - and returning to Canada.  I am now sharing it below for those of you too far away to buy a copy.  And for those of you reading this from Nigeria - you owe me N500 - since you didn't go out and buy your copy to support Lydia!

Foreigner. Expatriate. Third Culture Kid. Oyinbo.  Oniatcha.  Batouria.  Many are the labels given to someone living in a “foreign” land.

Culture Shock.  Homesickness.  In Transition.  Many are the feelings experienced as one makes a new place home. 

"Where are you from?"  When did such a simple and straightforward question become a loaded one? Do you mean where I was born?  Where my parents were born?  Do you mean where I live?  Do you mean where my heart is?  And where is my heart...anyways?

Coming to Nigeria was a BIG step. Little did I know how huge it would be.  I thought I would come and teach for a year and just see how things went.  The changes were a lot. 

I would sit in the middle of many a conversation; concentrating with all my might to follow the gist of what was being shared.  It took me MONTHS to figure out that “I don” is not the same as “I don’t”...in fact that it was quite the opposite.

One day, I came home excited from the market to share with my friends the amazing deals and purchases I got on shoes.  I had bargained well, and was able to get this footwear in six different colours!! Now I could actually accessorize with my outfits.  I had noticed that Nigerians were much more fashion conscious than I ever was “back home”.  I was looking forward to launching myself into this new world with my recent purchases.  My friend had come over and we were planning to go out.  I proudly put on my new footwear – that matched wonderfully with my outfit I must say – only for my friend to look me up and down and say, “You can’t go out like that”. 
 “Why not?” I asked shocked and confused.  Was I not matching well? 
“You need to change your footwear. I can’t go out with you looking like that.”  Change my footwear?  The very thing I was excited about was a flop...but why? 
 “Those are bathroom slippers.”  Bathroom slippers??  My very coordinated flip-flops turned out to be quite the flop.  Needless to say...I was well equipped in the bathroom slippers category in the coming months.  Hmm!

It was a process, but I learned a little bit at a time what was socially “acceptable”, and what was not.  There were things I grew to love about Nigeria.  Other things I continued to question.  I loved peppery foods.  I knew more about Nigerian politics than Canadian politics.  I loved the colour.  The emphasis on respect and community.  I loved it that people were more important than schedules.  Ok, I’ll admit – I didn’t love this aspect when I arrived at a function ten minutes prior to the arranged time and find myself waiting an additional hour or two for the first person to show up. 

However, the culture shock was even greater as I returned to Canada.  I was overwhelmed by the choices everywhere I went.  I was nervous to drive – would I remember to follow the rules?  Would I remember not to use my horn?  I had to call and make a plan to visit my friends two weeks before actually going. 

I have come to realize that I now have two homes and two cultures.  Neither of which I completely feel a sense of complete belonging.  But both of which I call home.

In Nigeria, I’m moving too fast.  In Canada I’m moving to slow.

In Nigeria, I’m often the only white person I hang out with.  In Canada, I’m excited when I see a black person (as I live in a rather mono-cultural community there).

It has taken time.  Learning a new culture for me took lots of listening, observing, and asking lots of questions.  I thank God for the great friends that God sent my way within the first few weeks of being here.  Friends who were patient.  Friends who looked out for me.  And friends who love their nation and made me fall in love with it too.  
It’s not always easy. When I return to Canada, I’m happy to just be “part of the crowd” and not be stared at on the street.  I love being close to my family.  I enjoy constant light, and knowing what to expect when I reach a junction or need to get a task done. 

Nigeria has certainly become a big part of who I am.  Last month, my brother got married in Canada.  As he was in the planning and preparing process, I was telling him how a number of my friends had talked about making the trip to Canada to come for the wedding.  His response?  “Well...I guess it would be ok if you brought ONE guest.”  ONE guest??  Ah yes, this was no longer Nigeria.  Funny, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that I’d only be allowed to invite only one guest!

A few years ago in Nigeria – a man was persistently calling my line.  He had a business proposal he wanted to discuss with me.  I didn’t know him, and had never met him.  I was suspecting 419 (fraud), and thought I would string him along a little to see where he was going with all his talk.  After about the fourth phone call – I believe he suspected I was suspecting him, and he dropped a line saying something like “You know sometimes we Nigerians suspect ourselves, when it comes to certain business..” As he continued, I realized that he actually thought I was a Nigerian and broke out in laughter.  I asked him which only confirmed my suspicions.  In the end, he stopped calling.  But funny enough, I realized I had certainly made progress in my “Nigerian” English – intonations and expressions – without even realizing it!

Ten years later...I look back at all my experiences and am so thankful.  I am happy to be able to be part of two cultures and call two places home.  I appreciate the person  I have become – one able to move around in different places.  Someone who values different people and different perspectives.  Someone who realizes that things are not always as they appear.  Someone who continues to learn – and appreciates the process of learning. 

In fact JUST today – I was speaking to a group of people about amala.  I was proud of myself for using it as an example in what I was talking about.  Only to have a few people snicker.  Apparently my intonation still needs some work.  Instead of talking about the Yoruba food, I was talking about  the “son of the soil” in Igbo.  Oops!  I will learn.  "Small small". 

 

Africa Roundtable 2

Africa, the Stage is Yours!

This past August I had the privilege of participating in a historic roundtable conference held by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa.  For one week 140 educators and community leaders from 35 nations came together to give testimony, share, and strategize about how to move forward Christian Education in Africa.  

Me with the delegates from Niger

The theme for the conference was "Africa, the Stage is Yours!"  It reiterated again and again the opportunities we have in Africa to bring the kingdom of God to each country through Christian Education.

We heard speakers from Ivory Coast to South Africa both testify and challenge us in the call we have to be Christian Educators in Africa.  Some highlights included,

Pastor Moussa Kone – “From the age of three I knew I was meant to be an imam (Islamic religious leader).  My father would tell me every day that my god was Allah, Mohammed my prophet, and that I would become an imam like him and his father.”  These were the messages that he learned as a very young child.  God had other plans for Pastor Moussa though! What stories are we telling our children as Christians?  Do they know who they are from a very young age?

Samson Makhado – “Save the African child through Christian Education, so the Christian child can save Africa.”

Each area of Africa shared testimonies of what God has been doing in Christian Education.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo has over a million children in Christian schools with teachers just waiting to be trained! In other countries teachers are coming to a deeper understanding of Biblical worldview, of their roles and responsibilities as Christian teachers in transforming their students and countries for Christ’s kingdom.

Myself with Bishop Nyamuke of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Connecting with other parts of West Africa.  Most countries in West Africa are French speaking – and it was fantastic making connections and in-roads in these areas.  As a result of these connections I had the opportunity to participate in a Christian school director’s conference in Senegal in October.  ACSI Nigeria is also planning to make an inroad into Sierra Leone in January as we connected at the conference with Mr. JT Koroma, a principal in a CRC Christian School in Kabala.

JT Koroma of Sierra Leone with Segun Oludipe of Nigeria

The development of a declaration.  Every day we met together to discuss what we need to commit to in order to strengthen Christian Education and bring about transformation.  Great plans were put in place – and it was amazing as we came from our small groups to share with the large group.  Our answers and ideas were unified.  God be praised.  To see a copy of the roundtable declaration go to: www.acsiafrica.org

Samson Makhado and I signing the declaration

Hank DeJong (Edu-Deo) and I

Join me in praising God for this momentous occasion.  Pray for each of us as we return to our own countries and pray and vision about how to implement this declaration in our various contexts.  Pray for wisdom and protection for many who serve in the midst of difficult and challenging circumstances.

"What Does a Typical Day Look Like for You?"

What does a typical day look like for me?  Well, the truth is, there is NO typical day.  I do have an office I work from – sometimes I spend all day there while other times I don’t make it to my office at all.  Here is a breakdown of a few different things that you might see me doing...

1)   Trainings  - I am available to do trainings on different aspect of Christian Education.  I will go to individual schools, or bring schools together to train – in "What is Christian Education?" and related topics as to how it practically applies in the classroom – discipline, teaching to read, relationships with students, curriculum, etc..

2)    School Visits – I will go to see individuals in various schools for whatever reasons.  To see teachers I have trained in action and give them feedback or encouragement.  To inform schools of programs or membership of ACSI.  I will chat informally with teachers and staff about their joys and challenges.  I will chat with students too.  Sometimes I do model teaching for a teacher – giving them an opportunity to see different teaching approaches in action.

3)      Running around working on repairs – plumber, electrician, internet, bank.  Things don’t always work as they should here, and much time is spent repairing air conditioners and freezers, leaky taps, etc.  Last week I made about 15 phone calls and 2 personal visits to our internet providers before service was finally restored...for now.


      4) Meetings – I meet with a group of trainers interested in training others.  I meet with the organizing committee who plans conferences and workshops in Abuja.  On a given day I might have a whole variety of people stopping by the office to talk about a school they are starting,  people wanting more information about Christian Education or what I do and how I might be able to work with them.   


           5) Mentoring – There are 4-5 people I have identified as having great passion and potential in terms of being a leading force in Christian Education in Nigeria. I spend as much time as I can with them, dialoguing about what they are learning and how I can help build their capacities to offer quality Christian Education in their various spheres.

Segun

Tosin

 

      6) Resource provider/Linker/connector – I have a resource library here at the office for teachers to come and borrow books and resources on Education.  Teachers will come looking for advice or information on a particular aspect of teaching, and I work with them to find out where they can get this information.  Others come into my office looking for jobs or teachers and sometimes I am able to make matches.  

In the office

 

ri    7) Writing prayer letters, reports, budgets, etc.. – I also spend time doing just what I am doing right now – writing to you!  I am also expected to do paperwork types of functions – like quarterly reports and budgets, answering emails, etc..

     8) Travel – Since my position is across West Africa – I also spend time “on the road” (or in the air).  I will go to other parts of Nigeria and West Africa to do trainings, have meetings with Christian Educators, and help to build capacity wherever  I can.

Educational Care: French West Africa

As promised in my prayer letter, here are more details and pictures on the training.  For those who might not have read my prayer letter here is a quick summary below:

Educational Care Manuals

The first “Pour Une Education Responsable” Module 1 FRENCH training was held from Sept-24-28, 2012.  We had a fabulous time together!  There was good participation and participants learned a lot and were excited to go back and apply what they had learned, and eager to plan for the next training as well.  “Pour Une Education Responsable” is the French translation for “Educational Care” a curriculum for training Christian School teachers developed by Christian Reformed World Missions and now being distributed through Worldwide Christian Schools USA.  The curriculum has modules on topics such as “What is a Biblical Worldview?”, “How do students learn?”, “What is a biblical view of discipline?” etc..  

Participants showing off their action plans

Group discussion

In the evaluation of the training and the week spent together, the following comments were made:

-          The training and integration of action plans helped me to be organized in what I’m presently doing.

-          I appreciated the rigour and intensity of the training.

-          I appreciated having the manuals to work through, and that we spent time working on our own in group discussion. 

The group was eager to continue and be trained.  They did not want to wait for another year to do the next module, and they also wished that two modules could be done at one time!  I explained the need for the time in between – as the application of the concepts is as important as the training itself.

Testimonial written by Pastor Samuel (the man in the green t-shirt in the discussion photo above). I am leaving it in French - but you can ask me for the translation if you like :)  

Je suis content de pouvoir enfin t'écrire et surtout te donner de mes nouvelles. Je vais bien par la grâce de Dieu. Ce fut vraiment une bénédiction pour nous: ma famille, mon église et moi, ton dernier passage en (pays Afrique de L'Ouest Francophone).  L'enseignement reçu de toi et surtout la méthode d'enseignement sont des choses qui nous ont marquées et continuent de nous édifier.

A ce jour, les membres de ma famille sont en train de concevoir eux-mêmes leurs plans d'action journalier et hebdomadaire. Je loue le Seigneur pour cela. Nous croyons que cet enseignement sera aussi utile pour beaucoup d'autres personnes, dont les fidèles de mon église. Puisse Dieu vous bénir.

Nous espérons te revoir très bientôt.

Teacher training after the Educational Care training during a school visit

 





Teachers had to come up with SMART Action Plans.  (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Oriented) Examples of some of their plans:

-         

-       *   150 of my students will engage in the protection of God’s creation.

o   I will know this change has occurred by the students building a fence around the school courtyard and planting trees around it.

-       *   80% of my students in the “college” (junior high) will better understand God’s intention for the world and know they are created to live lives that honour God at school.

o   I will know this change has occurred by the classrooms being neat and well taken care of.  The number of discipline cases reported in the discipline book will reduce by a minimum of 50%. There will be a reduction of cheating to pass exams.

-       

       *     I want my students to be able to describe at least 2 ways sin affects them and the world they live in. 

-      

-       *   I want 80% of my students to understand a biblical view of work and its benefits.

-      *    I want my teachers to be able to improve their classroom practices and evaluation of students (by being just and transparent) through their understanding of a biblical worldview.

-   *      5 of my Christian teachers will understand and apply the biblical worldview at least once a day after 3 months.

-    *      I want my students to know the importance of forgiveness and that they will forgive each other when offended.

Samuel is a school head - implementing "the Biblical view of work" into one of the classes in his school

After the trainings I visited a few of the schools the teachers in my training work in.  It was rewarding to see them in their own environment and dialogue with them about their unique situations and challenges.  I had the opportunity to visit classes as well as visit and encourage other teachers in the school.  Below are a few snapshots of different classrooms.
Most of the pictures are taken in a school run by Samuel.  As he attended the Educational Care, he struck me as someone who is articulate and engaged well with materials and action plans.  As I visited his school he shared what he was already putting into practice - just a few days later!  He had incorporated the biblical view of work into a secondary school study skills class.  He was also showing me the result of an "inductive teaching" lesson he tried that the students LOVED.  He was very excited to see that the students actually came up with all the answers on their own based on the passage he gave them, instead of him lecturing and giving them a note to write on it instead. Our training was done using the inductive teaching method.
I praise God for seeing changes ALREADY in the classrooms of this school.