On The Ground - Sept/Oct ‘24

Club of Leaders (CoL)

In September, stakeholders at Hebrone School came together to discuss effective teaching strategies, explore the concept of sustainability, and develop plans to strengthen collaboration between the school and the local community. The discussions highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability into both education and community engagement. A key focus was on fostering lasting partnerships that could drive positive change and enhance the well-being of both students and the broader community. At the conclusion of the professional development session, Mr. Dany, a staff member from MR, remarked, “We benefited from the experiences of others and the coaching of Doctor Jerry.”

As part of their partnership efforts, four selected CoL students visited the "Bien Aimés" Health Center to demonstrate the practical uses of ash to mothers who were there with their children for vaccinations. The students greeted the mothers, demonstrated various applications of ash, and invited them to share their thoughts and feedback. During the demonstration, they explained that ash could serve multiple purposes, such as washing hands and dishes, disinfecting areas to control flies and odors, enriching soil, and even making liquid detergent or soap. The students also emphasized that their research on ash would continue, and they planned to return in the future to share additional findings.

Students who attended the field trip to meet local chemist Papa Gaby Mbudi later shared their experience with other CoL members, demonstrating how to make liquid detergent. Using palm tree ash, a sieve, a bucket, and water, they sifted the ash, measured the ingredients, and mixed them to create a concentrated liquid detergent. Eleven days later, they filtered the solution through a homemade cloth funnel, observing its color and viscosity before collecting it in a gourd. The students were excited to successfully produce their own detergent, showcasing the practical application of their learning. Throughout these past two months, these various activities have reflected Hebrone CoL’s commitment to hands-on learning, sustainability, and community engagement.