Summary of project status and achievements:
Attendance still has not improved in MCAC. The SM does not believe it will improve this term. A few students dropped out of the class after the riot at 36, but otherwise attendance has been consistent.
Progress towards Coordinator’s goals/Trends from Indicators
The indicators will show that attendance has been well below historic levels for MCAC. Although the teacher says he wants the classes to be bigger, he does not seem to think there is a problem with the way the class is currently running. Solomon hopes attendance will improve for the next intake, but has no ideas for ways to facilitate this growth.
Future activities and goals:
Class will continue as normal. The SM will continue to try to discuss the attendance situation with Solomon, hoping to see a sense of urgency implemented in the coming weeks/months. It is Jeremy’s hope that any problems that Solomon is currently facing can be resolved in April.
Wishes or requests:
The furniture in MCAC is in a bad state. Many of the benches are broken and appear beyond repair. The SM has requested Solomon to obtain a quote for repair cost on several occasions, with no success. Once a quote is obtained, it will be passed on to the American Office for approval.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
By Jeremy SimonFORGE Meheba Creative Art Center (MCAC) is a FORGE English programme based in Meheba Refugee Camp Solwezi Zambia. This programme has empowered as many refugees as possible in this camp with communication skills, whereby almost 300 students have been graduated since 2007. The English is being taught in four different classes; Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced Level 1 and Advanced Level 2. Each has two semesters that means six months per semester. In this second semester 2009 we have 80 students enrolled. The performance is so attractive and testified by the whole refugee community because this programme has connected many people to the local population businesses and it has helped many refugees to further their studies.
In November this year we organized discussion and debates with students over different issues in the camp and their own lives in order to perfect their oral skills of the students.
This programme still needs more support. We need the audio system (radio and tapes) to perfect the listening skills of the student, some more furniture in the room, books for beginners, intermediate and advanced English program. Exercise books and pens for the coming intakes and many more suitable for this programme.
Supporting hopeless people is inviting God to deal with your businesses and provoke him take the responsibility of what you are doing and take you to your destination. Thank you
By Solomon K.Summary of project status and achievements:
Attendance did not improve at MCAC during the month of February. Solomon is at a loss for why attendance numbers are so low and does not have any suggestions for how the class number will improve. He hopes next term the students will return.
This past week, Solomon became a father for the first time. The SM has granted him time off to tend to his wife and get to know his new baby girl. The birth of his daughter has impeded Solomon’s ability to turn in M&E for February, which will be collected and submitted as soon as possible.
Future activities and projections:
Class will continue as normal as Solomon settles into his smaller class sizes.
Indicators and statistics:
See M&E.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
Wishes or requests:
None at this time.
Budget:
Please see expense monitor
By Jeremy SimonSummary of project status and achievements:
January continued to be a slow month for MCAC. As of 9 February, there are only 40 students registered in the class. Solomon is convinced that the class will continue to grow in the next few weeks.
Future activities and projections:
Solomon reports that registration will close on 12 February. At that time we will know exactly how many pupils will be in the class for the remainder of the six-month intake.
Indicators and statistics:
See M&E.
Substantial problems or issues:
While the SM is still concerned about the lack of enrollment, he is more concerned about Solomon’s apathy regarding the issue. He avoids the topic during meetings and simply says that things will improve.
Wishes or requests:
None at this time.
Budget:
Please see expense monitor
By Jeremy SimonSummary of project status and achievements:
In December, the PM and coordinator took the opportunity to discuss sustainability with regards to English classes in Meheba and MCAC. Solomon conducted a community survey asking about the interest in people taking English classes if we were to charge for them. An overwhelming amount of people said they would be willing to pay an increased fee for the service. In addition, graduation was held on 10 December for the last 6 months of English classes.
Future activities and projections:
Solomon and the PM have decided that we will not be increasing fees for the first semester in 2010. The new semester of classes should begin on the 18th of January.
Indicators and statistics:
None at this time.
Substantial problems or issues:
Enrollment has been terrible for the beginning of 2010. As of 15 January, there are only 18 students registered. On 14 December, the PM visited to find 9 students in class. Solomon is convinced that attendance will increase over time, but this is a discouraging way to start the year.
Wishes or requests:
Solomon is requesting that a radio be purchased to improve the listening skills of the students. The PM is currently looking at prices to see if there is room for it in the budget.
Budget:
Please see expense monitor
By Jeremy SimonSummary of project status and achievements:
November saw the completion of the second semester at MCAC. From 30 November through 3 December, the students wrote their final exams.
Future activities and projections:
MCAC is in the process of registering its next intake for 2010. Solomon is working with the PM to explore the possibility of charging a fee for classes, between 5,000-10,000, the first step towards financial sustainability for MCAC
Indicators and statistics:
Number of students enrolled in the current intake :
Substantial problems or issues:
Attendance was poor this month because of the rains and the beginning of cultivation. Solomon is confident that these problems will improve as we put the worst of rainy season behind us.
Wishes or requests:
Solomon is requesting that a radio be purchased to improve the listening skills of the students. The PM is currently looking at prices to see if there is room for it in the budget.
Budget:
Please see expense monitor
By Jeremy Simon
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