Operation Classroom seeks vocational materials for Ganta
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A UMNS photo by Dean Snyder and Jane Malone Workers, including ex-combatants in Liberia's civil war, learn how to make furniture at Ganta Mission.
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Workers,
including ex-combatants, learn how to make furniture in Ganta Mission's
woodshop. Operation Classroom, a United Methodist mission program, is
seeking vocational training materials for Ganta Mission Station in
Liberia. A UMNS photo by Dean Snyder and Jane Malone. Photo #05-821.
Accompanies UMNS story #670. 12/2/05 |
Dec. 2, 2005
By United Methodist News Service
Donations of vocational training materials are being sought
by Operation Classroom, a United Methodist mission program working in Liberia
and Sierra Leone.
The materials would be used in a program at the
denomination’s Ganta Mission Station in Liberia designed to train participants
in basic vocational trades of auto and diesel mechanics, electricity
rafting, cabinet making, carpentry, building construction, welding and plumbing.
The Ganta program’s target group includes 75 young adult
men and women who are ex-combatants, most of whom have an educational level
between the fourth and ninth grades.
Currently, the two-year program can only offer limited
theory and supporting math, reading and science, according to the Rev. Joe
Wagner, coordinator of Operation Classroom, with offices in Colfax, Ind.
The plan is to provide the next group of students something
more that will offer trade and general subject theory, along the lines of a job
corps program, he said.
Operation Classroom is seeking vocational curriculum
material for the following trade areas: architectural drafting, cabinet making,
carpentry, building construction, plumbing, domestic/industrial electricity,
automotive mechanics, diesel mechanics, welding and business education.
The mission program works in partnership with the Liberia
and Sierra Leone United Methodist annual conferences on projects related to
Christian-based education and health care. U.S. conferences, districts and
churches have opportunities to assist with teaching and school needs and help
rejuvenate the Kissy Clinic in Sierra Leone and Ganta Hospital in Liberia
through Operation Doctor.
Wagner said they also are looking for a volunteer for Ganta
Mission Station who could service the computers there and train one or two
persons in how to service the equipment.
To volunteer or to provide information on possible
resources, contact Wagner by e-mail at
wagners@operationclassroom.org or by telephone at (765) 436-2805.
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