Thread by @ewuraadamskarim

I was posted to teach at Oyarifa Presby JHS and I gladly accepted the offer. It’s been one of the best decisions I ever made. An experience I’ll always keep with me. ❤️

https://twitter.com/raphael_amuri/status/1300784120172339202

I taught English language and physical education( every Wednesday). My headteacher got me breakfast every Wednesday morning. I loved Wednesdays. Hahah. There’s a lot of potential in our schools, the only challenge is availability of opportunities.

As a service personnel in a school, the best part of it was that I closed early and I had weekends free and vacation came in handy as well. Meaning I had enough time to do any other thing I had to do without my work having to interfere.

During my service days at the school I focused a lot of my energy on not just developing the intellectual prowess of the students but also engaging them in mind provoking conversations about patriotism, leadership, self discovery, self awareness and service.

I spent less of my allowance on myself because I lived 10 minutes from the school so I used to walk often to school and food around was cheap. A huge chunk of my allowance went into buying books, Pens, uniforms, belts, shoes, food etc for needy students. It gave me fulfillment.

I was able to get a slot for them to visit the @VodafoneGhana headquarters to have a digital classroom working experience. For most of them it was their first time moving beyond the school compound, having access to the internet Etc. Thank you @VodafoneGhana for the opportunity.

I also invited my friends from Women in Debate and women in stem to talk to the female students about opportunities open to them in the outside world and the need for them to fully develop their potentials in order to be able to fit into the challenging world.

My good friend from Ramaplast also volunteered on one occasion to come talk to them about climate change, recycling and hygiene. We planned to have a second phase where we will train them on how to recycle basic plastics into usable everyday items. #Covid spoil am.

I also invited Sasa King, a renowned Ghanaian artist and painter to facilitate a workshop on self awareness, self discovery and self confidence. During the workshop, the students were challenged to create vision boards stating what their visions were. I’ll share photos.

I can go on and on about my National service experience with Oyarifa Presby JHS. There’s a lot to share. If I ever have an opportunity to go back i surely will because for me it was not just National service, it was about the impact I made in the lives of the students.

Oh yes! I remember the day I had to help some students in the home economics class to prepare Banku. They started to make it but it got messy along the line so I had to step in to do it for them. They didn’t believe I could do it until I sat down and took over 😂. I cook too.

This is how I dressed to work on the first day. 9th September, 2019. After a week, my dressing would change 😂😂😂

This is one of my PE classes. This day I met all the boys Seperately to discuss their future ambitions as well their role as men in fighting for the rights of women and respecting women. I loved every bit of this convo. #NSS

Presby week. We went on a small float in the Oyarifa community #NSS

I had started Maltiti Foundation barely a year prior to National service. I was doing my National service and running Maltiti Foundation at the same time. I was awarded at the SDG Awards in Kumasi in January, 2020.

The award ceremony was held in Kumasi on a Sunday. I had to be at work at all cost on Monday for a staff meeting. As you can see boy no abr3. I ended up sleeping at the staff meeting. Using sun glasses as shield 😂😂😂

Vision board workshop with some of the students.

I combined my National service with a lot of other activities. Both volunteering and paid jobs. I needed the experience and the money. I also started my farm during the same time. I travelled almost every weekend and still made sure I was in school on time on Monday for lessons.