Christian Jr. High comes to Toussiana

In the past I have spoken of Solo; a member of the protestant church, a busy tailor, and a musician who has attended a couple of Toussian music workshops and recorded a cassette which is very popular.

He came to us a couple of years ago to tell us of a burden he had to start a Christian school here in Toussiana. It seemed to us, though a good idea, way out of our means and his. We knew that probably the money would have to come from us (the expatriate translation team here).

Finally, Solo came to me and said that he was starting it on his own. He had rented a building, found a director and had much help and advice from a school in Bobo, a nearby town. He wanted to show me the school.
I was so impressed that he started on his own and it really looked like it would work. I was just as impressed that he and the “director” were found digging the pit latrines needed.				"Collège Privé Evangélique Débora" Debora Evangelical Jr. High School seemed to be becoming a reality.

My main sending church in Oregon asked me for a project for this year's VBS. The school came to mind, but I gave them several choices. They picked the school, kids helping kids. Neat. I now have some pictures of the future students. There were about 12 kids in all, several of them non-Christian, which can be a real prayer request.

I want to give some background in that kids here start school anywhere from 6-8 yrs old and the first couple of years is basically spent learning French. Some of them have had to drop out for a year because their parents couldn't afford for them to go, or they had to repeat a year. Some of the students will seem a bit old for the class they are in, and I’m not sure if they gave the class they just finished or the one they will be going into.

Wilson Ouattara (Wilson is his first name) teaches English and helped me with the interviews. He will be the director of the school.

I interviewed them and asked some basic questions: How old are you? What grade are you in school? What is your favorite subject? What do you like to do for fun? What is your favorite Bible Story? What is your favorite Bible verse?

Tigana Traore How old are you? 17 yrs old What grade are you in school? 9th grade What is your favorite subject? English What do you like to do for fun? Soccer What is your favorite Bible Story? Jesus What is your favorite Bible verse? John 11:35

Elisabeth Ouattara (Watera) 15 yrs old 10th grade English Sing Samson John 15:3

Massara Coulibaly 17 yrs old 10th grade English Sing Daniel John 4:1

Barnade Coulibaly 12 yrs old 8th grade Math Soccer non-Christian

Pascal Coulibaly 15 yrs old 8th grade English Soccer non-Christian

Martha Ouattara (Solo’s daughter) 13 yrs old 6th grade Science Ware - African board game Jesus John 5:5

Gertrude Samou 14 yrs old 7th grade History Sing Noah Eph 6:1-3

Albert Barro 13 yrs old 6th grade English Ball Samson John 5:5

Marie (Mary) Ouattara 16 yrs old 6th grade French Sing Noah Matt 6:24

Awa Ouattara 14 yrs old 8th grade English Cook non-Christian

Orokia Barro 14 yrs old 8th grade French Cook non-Christian

Salimata Coulibaly 15 yrs old 8th grade French Cook non-Christian

Eveline Yampa (Pastors daughter) 14 yrs old 7th grade History, Geography ride bike Samson I Cor. 5:17

Also all the students wrote about the school and why it is needed. Here are a few examples... Tigana Coulibaly "According to me, this school is very important because it will develop first our intellectual and spiritual knowledge. We will have education closer to where we live. Knowing that children must be educated, I think that this school matches our national education policy." Gertrude Sanon "As far as I am concerned, this school is welcome in this neighborhood for many reasons: First, it will be nearer to us, we don't have to bicycle or use a moped to get there. Secondly, this school will be a hope for those who can not go to the public school; and finally, it will develop the spirituality of the children, making them good Christians." Massara Coulibaly "I think that the 'College Privé Evangelique Debora' is a new breath for our community because we have a serious problem of lack of schools. We have only one public school in which we can not always go because of school fees are so expensive and often there is not enough space. So this new school will permit us to be at ease." Barnabe Coulibaly I encourage those, who are thinking about children's future through education. Thank you very much; this school is really wanted by us. Pascal Coulibably "I am very happy to learn that a school is being built here. This school will help us to continue our intellectual and spiritual education."

If you would like to help finance Debora Evangelical Jr. High School you can email me at trudi@pleis.truepath.com and I will give you more information.

• July 2005, Pastor Pierre Wedding
• June 2005, Locust Plague
• April 2005, Branch Conference
• February 2005, Literacy Classes
• September 2004, Market Pictures
• August 2004, Return to Toussiana
• May 2004, In Memory of Wilhelm
• July 2003, Wilhelm’s Parents 50th Wedding Anniversary
• Feb. 2003, New Office Building
• Nov 2002, Reading Contest
• July 2002, Toussian Translators
• March 2002 Literacy classes
• Jan 2002 Bissa New Testament dedication
• January 15, 2002
• Nov 2002  Language learning, Translation, Revision, Ladies day at church
• Oct 2001  Sunday school outing, Fonio harvest
• Aug 2001  Cobly Reunion
• May 31, 2001  Return to Burkina Faso
• May 5, 2001  Germany, Az, Oregon office work
• Jan 2001  Our time in Germany

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