Learning that LASTS

Learner-Centered
Action with Reflection
Solving Problems
Team-work
Self-direction/self-discovery
December 1-5, 2014 at BRTC Guest house in Bamenda. It was my first time to participate as a staff in the Learning that LASTS workshop. It was a wonderful experience to have people from different backgrounds and levels. We saw various teaching skills and methods. We worshiped God and worked together as a team. We were indeed blessed and everyone left with their expectations met which were primarily:
- How to design teaching events
- How to teach adults

Praise the Lord Singing and Music

What a joy to sing and praise the Lord in the Language and with the instrument that one understands so well.

Part of the Bible Translation Process

I am training two Mother Tongue Translators (MTT) from Bafemen (Mmen) on how to use a computer application program called AdaptIt it and Paratext. With these programs, they will AdaptIt Scriptures from Kom (Source language) to Mmen(Target Language). The Scriptures were translated in Kom 11years ago so this will facilitate the translation of Scriptures in Mmen given that the languages are closely related. Pray that the training will go well and that they will be able to apply what they have learned immediately. These men ought to understand the source language so as to work well. They also have to understand English so as to do a back translation at the end so that they consultant can check their work to be sure that it is of standard.

Bad Roads in Bamenda III

These days it has really been difficult to get to our office (BRTC). Even four wheel drive vehicles find it difficult to get through. Good enough there is a back road and we can also leave our vehicles in the neighborhood and trek to the office. We are hoping that the Major of Bamenda III will do something about the roads in this neighborhood.

The place of Instructional Materials in Teaching and Learning

I enjoy teaching or reteaching so that students can better understand. I have realized that the place of instructional materials cannot be underestimated in the teaching/learning transaction.
When the learners understand the lessons better, their faces will beam up and likewise that of the instructor.
In one of my classes, my student told me that their teacher had taught them about a wooden cup. To them this was very strange as they've not seen one before. I dashed into our kitchen and brought a few things that they are familiar with but in another form. For example they know of clay pots and so on but have never seen a clay tray or clear teapot. I also showed them wooden spoons and things and they were able to understand.
One of my student had learned in her physics class about dry cells and electricity. I showed her a dry cell, we measured the voltage together and she was really excited to have done that. So instructional materials must not be lacking in the teaching-learning process if at all any meaningful verbal learning is going to take place.

Our House in Bamenda

We live in Nkwen - Bamenda, specifically in Mbessi quarter near GBHS Atiela

Mbingo Baptist Hospital

Photo of Mbingo Baptist Hospital taken from an Helicopter flying over the hospital.

Demise of my cousin Oscar

A cousin of mine Oscar Lemfon passed unto glory last Sunday. His father Lemfon Casian passed away two years or so. Oscar was born in Kimar and stayed there until he completed class 7. He then moved to stay with his father in Foumbot where he learned a trade as a mechanic driver. He later moved to stay in Bamenda with his then uncle late Fomduwir Christopher and the family. Eventually, he started driving a taxi in Bamenda which he did for several years. God blessed him with a beautiful and industrial wife (Marceline). God has equally blessed their union with 3 children - Therese who is in Form 3 in G.B.H.S Bamenda, Ramson who is in primary 5 and Caleb who is still a toddler at the time Oscar left them. Oscar and his family lived in Bamenda near Longla Comprehensive college Mankon. Until the time he died, he was a driver with Vatican Express mostly plying the Bamenda Wum road. He has been a taxi driver in Bamenda town for several years too. On Saturday 11th October he complained to his wife that he was feeling feverish. Took his vehicle to the garage for regular checkup. On that night they stayed well as a family but in the middle of the night the story started changing. Marceline called the landlord and people around and before they could take him to the hospital, he had given up the ghost.
Adieu Oscar until we shall meet again one day to part no more.