Jacqui Kanode
In 2010, Jacqui learned about Awaso from Monica
McClintock. Jacqui is a retired special education teacher,
member of Morgan Hill’s Advent Lutheran Church, and a San
Martin resident. Her church holds a supply collection event
each July. She has made four visits to Awaso, typically staying
for a month or longer. Her first trip was dedicated to the
setting up the school. In addition to working in support of the
UNICEF curriculum in place, she developed the Academy’s
administrative framework for teachers and employees.
She learned that what seems to North Americans to be
a series of “delays” is the normal pace of “Ghana time.” She
credits the change of pace with bringing her into a better
understanding of and alignment with the more relaxed way
of living in Ghana. She’s become adept at adjusting to the
cultural differences. Jacqui speaks of Father Paul’s advice as
her “mantra.” He frequently says to her, “Keh Cra, Keh Cra,”
which means “little by little.”
Jacqui wishes she had visited Ghana before beginning her
teaching career in the U.S. She said the difficult conditions
faced by the teachers in Awaso increased her appreciation
for California’s education system. She brought her class-
room management skills to Awaso Academy in 2014 and is
particularly grateful to see how such things as positive rein-
forcement are now being used successfully by teachers there.
Last year she made her fourth journey to Awaso to continue
providing curriculum enrichment and in-service teacher
training. As she put it, “I am here to support God’s vision
as seen through Father Paul’s eyes.”
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
Maryann Kantmann
Maryann has been to Awaso three times. She learned of the
project at St. Catherine’s Church, while Father Paul was studying
at Santa Clara University.
“I joined the first group that visited Awaso in 2010 and
assisted by interviewing potential students, sewing uniforms,
and providing in-services for teachers,” Maryann said. “We
worked with the villagers to complete the school and build the
principal’s house. It was a remarkable time. The talent of the
villagers was surprising to me. The work was done without
benefit of electrical power. They made bricks by hand, and
carried in water in jugs on their heads. I made friends and
gained appreciation for the Ghanaian people and their culture
and had a joy-filled time working with the children, who are so
bright and eager. I went there to give and came home having
received much more.”
Last year, Maryann returned to Awaso to help work with
teachers and young students for two months. Since then, she’s
been fundraising, providing school supplies, sponsoring a
student, and promoting the annual Ghana Dinner fundraiser.
“We have been fortunate to have the support of the local
Ghanaian community. Their contributions have been invaluable,
and it has been a joy getting to know such good people.”
Asked what would help the efforts, she said, “The quality
of Awaso Academy’s education is superior, but the school does
not receive government support, so fundraising is a continuing
challenge. Funds for housing teachers, expanding the middle
school, and scholarship money for the children are all needed.
All it takes is $40 a month to change a child’s life for the better.”
JULY/AUGUST 2017
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