The running of the school in Gumo needs close collaboration between the principal, the teachers, the children and the parents. In the background, Sr. Margaret Kibola
From Sr. Margaret Kibola, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
You have helped us to grow”
This powerful statement was cited by our first batch of 2020 Junior High at St. Charles Lwanga Roman Catholic School, expressing their gratitude to all they felt I was to them as pupils in the school. They were under our care for 11 years: 2 years of kindergarten, 6 years of primary and 3 years of Junior High School. This group has successfully finished their Senior High School last year 2023 and are pursuing their tertiary education.
I was a missionary in Ghana for 18 years. I taught as a teacher in Sorugu Primary School for 5 years and was headteacher at St. Charles Lwanga for 13 years. I realized that all was possible because of the support and collaboration from so many people.
God’s Seed in me grew with a lot of care from Jesus, my sisters in the community, my family, friends, children and all those I worked with each day. My commitment to love my daily responsibilities were nourished by my personal and community prayer; the Eucharist and other spiritual exercises that helped me to “find God in all thing and all things in Him.”
I thank the congregation for offering me the needed skills to serve in Ghana as a teacher and headteacher. My studies in Tangaza College (Christ the Teacher Institute for Education, Kenya) and in the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) empowered for my services.
Each day was unique at the school. Experiences with 994 children, 37 teachers, 3 supporting staff, parents, elders, officers from the Municipal education office, the Regional Catholic Education office, institutes of Education that sent students to be mentored, nongovernmental organization that came to support our educational programmes, our partner school in Germany (St. Lamberti School and Parish in Münster), the women who sold food to the children and others, made each day interesting. Each day demanded from us creativity, attentiveness and patience with what was happening. The office of the headteacher was always busy with coordination of school activities, providing needed information to the Education office, or attending to visitors who came for information, looking for new admissions or transfers of children from other schools.
How did we organize ourselves as a school? I held regular meetings and consultations with my three assistants: Madam Naah Edna, an experienced, hardworking teacher; Madam Sandow Natasha, a counsellor and dedicated teacher, and Mr. Nguissan Kpekpenou an energetic and zealous disciplinarian. We were able to lead the school while networking with other teachers. We constantly evaluated our administration and planned for new strategies to achieve our goals. Sometimes we made mistakes, but we learned and moved forward with renewed ideas and skills.
We had a weekly meeting with the entire staff to discuss how to help the children at the school. These meetings were also used for professional development and information. Our term planning meetings were very helpful. Each teacher belonged to a committee and a club that had specific responsibilities to help in the administration of the school.
These clubs and committees included music and dance, sports, health, agriculture, welfare, guidance and counselling as well as maintenance. These committees had their regular meetings depending on the needs and coordinated the activities together with the headmistress. Indeed, each had the opportunity to do something for the growth of the school and contributed to the education of the children. Daily smooth running of the school was achieved because of the commitment and collaboration of each teacher and child at the school. We were like a spider web depending on each other for success.
During the Catholic Week Celebrations and St. Charles Lwanga’s Week each teacher was involved to make these events interesting, relaxing and entertaining. This way of functioning helped us to have many interesting activities such as a quiz competition among children, sporting activities, cultural days, career days, dancing competitions and so many others. Indeed, we had only one desire: to see the children grow holistically, culturally, intellectually and spiritually. We strived to facilitate teaching and learning by creating a conducive environment for the children and teachers. The daily vision was to make the school a place where children will want to come each morning because it was safe place to be and learn. We focused on our school motto of
discipline, hard work and success.
Teachers prepared their lessons in a way that encouraged learning. Places like the computer Lab and Learning Centre were the most attractive places for the children. They had practical lessons! When it was time to go there, children raced to be the first to enter! My great joy was to witness acts of charity from both children and teachers, for instance a child sharing food with the one who doesn’t have. Teachers supporting or visiting sick children in their homes and
many others.
I recall our humble beginning when as a congregation we took on the administration of the school in 2007. The sisters who began this mission will tell you that it was really difficult because there was very little support from the parents and low motivation from the children and teachers. After 17 years, there is a positive change that has helped many children to “grow”.
It protected them from dropping out of school, encouraged them to learn and to succeed. We can count less than 5 children who dropped out of school during all these years. This is very encouraging and fulfilling. Pondering about this mission at the school much remains to be done. All these success stories are as a result of collaboration with so many entities.
The wisdom from our constitutions inspired me each day
To live close to the people is to be receptive to the wealth of its culture, to understand its vision of the world and of God in order to become truly all to all. This attitude demands continual self-renunciation.”
Indeed, I feel grateful to have lived a missionary life shaping the lives of future leaders and helping them grow. The challenges and difficulties I lived were a source of growth for me. I have grown as a person, as a Christian and as an educator. I am very happy to have lived a fulfilled missionary life in Ghana as MSOLA sharing in our charism and mission.
