Nsukka, Nigeria Catholic Schools

Join this action to get our schools built!

2011-11-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

Chuck Newman announces: Over the past 14 years, I have probably bored you to tears about the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to work with as we, Schools for the Children of the World, (SCW) helped to plan, design and build schools in many countries around the world.

FINALLY, we have planned an event in Naperville, Illinois where you will be able to meet these extraordinary people and experience the cultures, hors d'oeuvres, wine, and sounds of the countries we work in. You will have an opportunity to meet and talk with people we have worked with for many years from Honduras, Haiti, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and India. You will also get to meet both students and adults that have traveled with us over the years.

Please join us for an unforgettable opportunity to make new friends and learn what SCW is doing to make a difference for children and families all over the world. Join us for :

School Aid

Saturday evening, November 12, 2011, from 7:00-9:30 PM

at the Alfred Rubin Community Center

305 W. Jackson Avenue Naperville, Illinois

$75/person dress is informal

Make Reservations at: http://scw-2011.eventbrite.com/

Day 5. Organizational structures that support the 2020 Vision and the Model school approach.

2011-03-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

Today will focus on syntheses. Participants will organize the work of the week so that they can share it with their coworkers who are unable to come in for the seminar. They will go over the work of the health committee to see how it will be woven into the school Vision 2020. The institutional work will be explained: fund raising, grant applications, ongoing training in topics covered during the seminar. The program concludes with certificates and celebration. The seminar has been completed and the families of Nsukka Diocese will realize their opportunities in new and creative ways because of the work of all these educators both during the seminar and throughout its implementation in the Catholic Schools of the whole area.

Day 4 We are the model school. Living the 2020 Vision

2011-03-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

Continuing the group work seminar participants work out the steps that are needed to go from the present into the future. Specifically they talked about the structures that would be necessary to for this transformation. Then the tasks were put into a time line showing which could be started with this coming school year and which would need to wait until the Model School is built, or until the materials are more available. They will be asking whether the primary and elementary schools should lead the way so the students can grow into with this visionary education, or whether the secondary schools should lead the way so that they can prepare personnel to move out into the reinvigorated diocesan schools. After the groups completed their reports the information was organized for all to see.

Day 3: Understanding a New Vision of Education through the Story of the Universe and our Model School

2011-03-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, Fr. Willie Odo told those who follow this blog a turtle story. It is one of the many turtle stories found among indigenous cultures. After comparing and contrasting these stories, the seminar participants will hear from Chuck Neuman one of the principals in Schools for the Children of the World. They have prepared the architectural drawings for the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka Model School. This campus has two wings: one for teacher training, the other for students with whom to learn. This central teaching / learning site will be linked to all the schools of the diocese, enabling all schools to offer the model school experience to their students. No matter how far the school is from Nsukka, local administrators, teachers and students will have the basic tools to using many different forms of intelligence. The participants worked toward the outlines necessary changes they will need to their school a model school for their students. For more information on the model school read the planning guidelines.

Day 2. Understanding a New Vision of Education through Multiple Intelligences.

2011-03-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

You wonder what education through Multiple Intelligences is? Just like the participants in the seminar, you find this answer best by beginning with yourself. How do you learn? We are all concerned about the earthquake in Japan. Would you rather read about it in the newspaper, or listen to reporters talk about it? Do you like the first person stories coming from the survivors or the videos of the tsumani washing homes away? Do you have family or friends in Japan whom you can talk to? Or do you have investments in Japan which will need rebuilding? Each of us learns differently. After the participants reflect on their own learning styles, they work in groups to take some of the lessons they teaching, and design the material engaging the Multiple Intelligences of their students.

Day 1: Engaging th the Power to Transform

2011-03-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

This transformation will occur by using the Vision 2020 which was prepared by Mbido Olu Igu Akwukwo Katolik: Project Genesis Catholic Education The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Catholic Schools in Partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka that will direct the work of the seminar participants. You will find this outline in the DREAMS section posted last week. This cooperative participation of all facets of the school community, in this week-long seminar will bring this vision out into the open, with the help of our Creative God.

Meet Fr. Willy Odo, Judicial Vicar, Nsukka Diocese

2011-03-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Father Willy Odo, Judicial Vicar, Nsukka Diocese from CARITAS For Children on Vimeo.

Bishop Okobo welcomes Chicago Delegation

2011-03-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

BISHOP OKOBO'S LETTER TO CHICAGO FRIENDS

Destiny

2011-03-12T07:45:00.000-08:00

Our questions about Direction have us look at the vision the Catholic educational leaders and teachers see for their schools, and how those visions can be realized. We do this together, not alone. As we move through time in the partnership, we will make adjustments to enable the change we seek. We want our outcomes and values to be realized through the educational process. We want to provide our students with a cutting edge education that gives them hope for their futures and for the future of Nigeria.

In the evolving struggle to face the challenges and to create something new together, we see our destiny unfold. What results can we anticipate over time? How can we insure that the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Nsukka will be vibrant educational centers where students can create their future with the tools needed in a complex and diverse society. Times are not easy, but they are always full of potential. We have but to see and to walk one step at a time in the direction that leads to life. This is what our faith tells us to believe.

Cooperrider believes that the Appreciative Inquiry approach is based on a spirituality of hope and life. John writes, “I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Our deepest hopes and dreams come from a center that rests in the presence of God Who is all in all. Even in the most tragic of happenings or most difficult challenges, we can lift ourselves up and keep on going with an inner dignity that stems from the One who sustains us.

Direction

2011-03-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

This direction phase leads into the final phase of the Appreciative Inquiry process. The faces of the children already overcrowded into classrooms remain at the center of setting these directions. The questions about what’s workable and how we frame the common commitments must be set in what is realistic in the long run. While the formal partnership is only for five years, the hope and logic is that the relationship will last much longer. Key to the success of this joint diocesan effort is the relationships built out of a shared vision of the future and a well-defined partnership that creates meaningful points of convergence and creativity.

Dreams

2011-03-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

Many people are stakeholders in the Catholic Schools of Nsukka Nigeria. Previous teams spoke with these stakeholders and developed this list of dreams for their schools. One of the present team is working primarily on teacher, principal and parent development through the Seminar they are presenting. Another present team is working on with the local hospital within Nsukka to create partnerships that support the health of the children in an area where many children do not live long enough to go to school.

Catholic identity
education in Christian values and moral living
commitment of bishop
students have a vision for their future
students motivated to learn
dedicated and strong teachers and principals
capacity and desire to solve our problems
parents who use the schools support them
well organized
solid learning programs
improve over time
competitive
students contribute to social transformation in Nigeria

Discovery

2011-03-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

Traits of Nsukka Catholic Schools found in cities and rural areas. These care for highly motivated students from nursery through secondary school. Here are some of their findings.

The school is accountable to a diocesan education director and office of administration. The Director of Diocesan Education Commission is Rev. Fr. G. U. Dine and the Secretary Diocesan Education Commission is Mr. Lazarus Oga Ugwu. Both administrators have extensive experience in the Nigerian education system.
National standards and testing guide the educational process. Teachers must follow the standards and “teach to the test” in order for students to pass from grade to grade. Learning is by rote with few books, tools and technology to support the learning process. Tests are provided by the state and are administered by teachers to an entire class. There is little or no individually guided education.
Although some of the buildings are old (pre-Biafra War), the Catholic schools are relatively “new” because at the close of the war the government took over the schools and education became entirely public in that area of the country. It is only recently, within the last ten years, that Bishop Francis Okobo successfully negotiated with the Nigerian government to resume Catholic education under his authority. Some of the schools we visited are only three years old.
Each school has capacity or over capacity enrollment. Whether Catholic or not, parents are enrolling their children out of the perception that Catholic schools do a better job of educating. There is no way that we can prove the validity of this perception in our data.

Appreciative Inquiry - Process for Collaboration

2011-03-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

The Appreciative Inquiry Process is an established method for collaborative social change. Several online sources can help one see how it works, this one consolidates many different resources. It was chosen for this Nsukka Catholic Schools projects because it recognizes all participants as valuable questioners and helps teachers, school administrators, pastors, bishops, and parents from both churches to find a common ground while improving the educational setting for Catholic Education in Nsukka Nigeria. A lengthier presentation on Appreciative Learning can be found in this paper.

Meet the Health Initiatives Team

2011-03-05T17:35:00.000-08:00

Who will create a plan with Shanahan Hospital to deliver holistic health care to families and children; and complete work of Shanahan Hospital extension? These team members are Mary Romuald, Chuck Neuman, Kathy Petitti and Norma Thornton. Norma Thornton will be the team leader as they work with the hospital to care for the children of Nsukka so they can learn.

Meet the Educational Seminars Team

2011-03-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

Who will develop and deliver educational seminars for 175 to 200 principals and teachers from 47 schools that cover nursery classrooms, primary classrooms, junior and senior secondary classrooms? The team members are Sr. Barbara Jean Ciszek, CSJ, Stephanie Clausell, Vito De Frisco, Bernadette Felicione, Dr. Carol Fendt, Jeanne Henry, and
Dr. Desmond Odugu. Carol's focus on educational research makes her a natural team leader. Seminar participants will touch the lives of students in countless classrooms like these.

Meet the Planning, Research and Management Team

2011-03-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

Who will direct planning for new school building site with local contractor and builders; and connect planning to health initiatives? These team members are Dr. Carol Fendt, Esther Hicks, Chuck Newman, Dr. Desmond Odugu, Kathy Petitti, and Norma Thornton. Esther is the team leader, she has been working in institutional development for several decades. Here, she is pictured with the children who will benefit from team planning through more effective education and health care systems.

2011 Delegation Leaves Chicago This Week!

2011-03-02T16:54:00.000-08:00

The Archdiocese of Chicago expresses its commitment to the Diocese of Nsukka in Nigeria Catholic Schools through an annual spring delegation. During this trip the delegates will work in three teams. Each team is responsible for goals in their own specific area: education, health care, and planning. Since the beginning of this project many accomplishments have been noted.

The strategic plan for the diocesan schools has been completed,
partnerships have been formed,
blueprints for the central teacher training complex are being improved, and
the 2011 delegation brings graduate level teacher training to school teachers and administrators.

Please return often to follow this year's delegation.

Join us! on September 2, 2010 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Quigley Pastoral Center 835 North Rush Street Chicago, IL

2010-08-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

Reception for Fr. Wilfred Odo, JCD Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria Bishop Francis Okobo In Partnership with The Office of Catholic Schools Archdiocese of Chicago RSVP mbermudez@archchicago.org or 312-534-5242

Fr. Odo will be happy to greet his many friends and companions in Chicagoland who support the Catholic educational planning in Nsukka, Nigeria. We invite you to join him and the Nsukka Planning Committee to enjoy conversation, learn the latest in the educational planning process and celebrate the hopes and dreams of the 2020 Vision for Nsukka Catholic Schools! There will be food and refreshments, informational materials and a brief presentation at 7:00 p.m.

2010-08-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm not very grateful for what I have... I believe that working on this blog, has made me a bit of a better person, and also got me thinking about how little Nigeria has, but what joyous spirits all the children have. We complain that we don't ever get what we want, when it really matters about what we need. For example, here in schools, we have books that will help us understand what the teacher is talking about or even books that teach us the concept of the subject: math books, science books, social studies books, etc., etc. In Nigeria, children don't have the books we use. If they even have any school books, they are VERY, VERY outdated. The books are so old, they might even have wrinkles!
Another example is that the children don't have lunch at school. Here, kids whine about not having a long lunch/recess, or that we don't have enough time to talk to each other. Children in Nigeria are there to LEARN, if they choose to interact with each other, it's outside, not during class. Maybe we should get some teachers from Nigeria to come here to our schools and teach us a lesson... WHACK! There goes that stick again!
Now as I finish this post, I really think that I should go to Nigeria soon (and this time, i'm not figuratively speaking...). As I write more for this blog, I feel attached to helping Nigeria. Now is the time for you to start helping too...OR THE STICKS WILL FIND YOU!!!!! (Please do not feel intimidated, it really doesn't hurt that much!)

2010-07-15T10:37:00.001-07:00

If you get into a small space, maybe even with many people, do you get claustrophobic? Let me tell you this, if you DON'T, then you're lucky you don't know how uncomfortable the feeling is... The classrooms in Nigeria are SUPER DUPER small and they hold over 60 children! Maybe you older readers can think back in the days when you were in school and had that many kids in your class. In the classrooms in Nigeria, there's a long narrow desk along with a long narrow bench or multiple chairs next to each other. Even though they may be cramped together, the children still listen to the directions given by the teacher. If not, then WHACK!!! The teacher pulls out her stick and spanks the children! No wonder the children are so obedient (at least most of them)! The ones that don't, well they know what's coming for them... All we have is the "book of responsibility," detention, demerits, or a "conduct book." Keep in mind that here, if a student has to go to detention or write in "the book," that's not painful! Unless of course, you got into some kind of fight and you got a nose bleed, but let's not go THERE. Who ever knew a stick could be so violent?!?!?! Ouch!

Uniforms. Yuck.

2010-07-14T18:49:00.000-07:00

Uniforms... The one thing that most students who wear them, dislike about school. If you ask a student that wears a uniform to school, how they feel about wearing one everyday, they will most likely say that they wish they didn't have one or they wish they could wear their own clothes. I must say that I am one of those students... Fortunately, there are kids that don't complain about wearing a uniform and they have it hot everyday of the year! Nigeria, Africa is hot everyday of the year, and for kids there, it's a requirement to wear uniforms in all the schools. Kids go to school on a scooter or by foot in the scorching sun wearing uniforms! Here, we don't even think about walking more than a mile to school, where in Nigeria that's what children do. Also, most schools here have 1 or 2 colors to their uniforms. In Nigeria, every single school has a different uniform, having all different colors! Just imagine, if you line up children from each school in Nigeria next to each other, the line may end up looking like a rainbow! How pretty and awesome would that be?! TOTALLY AWESOME! We complain about wearing uniforms to school, but we don't have to walk to school for miles in the sun everyday. Also, the children in Nigeria have such a good spirit. Their smile just warms your heart... I'm actually jealous of the children in Nigeria for their colorful and beautiful uniforms! Maybe I can order one...?

My summer in Nigeria... figuratively speaking.

2010-07-13T16:19:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you were born in another country? I know, difficult to imagine, right? This summer I have an opportunity to find out and so do you. Let's start with why I'm doing this. I'm getting confirmed next year and I needed a service project during the summer. With the help of my lovely neighbor, I've decided to contribute my new knowledge of Nigeria and it's schools to this blog. I may just be an 8th grader, (as my fellow blogger said below) but I have a lot to say about what's happening in a country I've never been to... Also, a big part of why I became a blogger is because a few people have these papers and reports they have to write that are apparently more important than blogging. What's up with that? It's hard to believe, but don't worry, Marta has come to the rescue!

Marta begins serving up information on our project

2010-07-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

Today starts Marta's first day of blogging for our website. Marta will be an 8th grader at St. Josaphat School this fall. This spring, Marta has spent time with a number of the principals who went to Nigeria in March. Her interview questions were generated by students and teachers at St. Josaphat. Utilizing the stories of her interviewees and their pictures, you, dear reader, will be kept informed on our growing partnership.

Please feel free to post your questions or topics for Marta to discuss! We look forward to an interactive volley of ideas!

Sr. Solina Hicks, RSM is honored by the Archdiocese

2010-03-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Sr. Solina Hicks, RSM has created the series of paintings entitled "Seeing the Kingdom of God in Nigerian Women." There are 22 paintings in this series that Sr. Solina painted in her 95th year in order to support the Nsukka Project and her cousin Esther Hicks who has spear-headed this project for the Archdiocese. In 2008, the Archdiocese celebrated Sr. Solina's contribution and the partnership between the Catholic schools of Nsukka and the Catholic schools of the Archdioces of Chicago.

Currently, some of these paintings are on exhibit with numerous other works this month at St. Xavier University. The show "Sister Solina Hicks, A Retrospective" is on exhibit at St. Xavier Galler, 3700 West 103rd Street, Chicago, IL 60655 until April 8, 2010. A conversation with the artist and reception will take place on Wednesday, March 31st at 3:30. If you can't make the reception, please call the Gallery for hours or further information: 773-298-3081.

Where's the MALL???

2010-03-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

Shopping in Nsukka is nothing like shopping in Chicago, except that you still need to have money to buy what you want! In Nsukka the market is a large mass of small shops that share walls. The shops run next to each other both from north to south and east to west. The roofs of the shops are tarps or corrugated metal sheets. If it's a very hot day, like it was today, you might feel overheated and wish for a breeze of fresh air because the plastic tarp or hot metal seem to hold the heat and prevent the air from circulating. What might you find in the market place? Why anything from jewels to give to your friends when you get home, to nuts and peppers to share with friends who come to visit, to school supplies. I wonder what goody goodies the delegation found on their trip today? Do you think they found something to share with you?

Holy Trinity Secondary School focuses on agriculture

2010-03-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

Today the Delegation began by visiting two schools. St. Francis Secondary School and Holy Trinity Secondary School. Holy Trinity has an agricultural focus. Students learn how to grow and sustain their communities by learning to grow native crops. Since the May 2008 Delegation's visit, Holy Trinity has reached it's capacity to serve the students of the area. They need to build more school buildings to but have run out of land to build on. St. Francis School has completed building their third floor and also need to build more classrooms for the students who want to come to school.

Nsukka Schools

2010-03-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

This is what a typical classroom looks like in Nsukka. Notice the drawings on the walls...this is what the teacher and students use for a chalkboard. This school's uniform color is green...they are not dressed for St. Patrick's Day! Notice there are no individual desks!

Transportation in Nsukka

2010-03-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

If you went to Nsukka to visit our friends, how would you get around? Well, lucky for you, Fr. Willy and Fr. Fidelis would borrow a friend's SUV or a van from one of the schools so that they could take you and your friends all around the city. And then they would have to drive very carefully because the roads are filled with lots of people trying to get somewhere. Many walk everywhere they need to go. School children rise early to walk the long miles to school...often leaving home while it is still dark out. They have to be very careful because the roads are often in poor shape (if you think Chicago has pot holes, wait til you go to Nsukka!). Like in the USA, many use trucks to transport goods (and people) from place to place. Those who don't have a car (and that is by far the majority of people) have to walk. If you don't have a car, but you want to get some place farther away than you can walk, how might you get there? There is no L in Nsukka. What if you have a lot to carry? What if it's more than fits on your head? Well, you just might be in luck. Often you can catch a ride on a motorcycle taxi! When are you coming to Nsukka to see for yourself?

Students on the campus of the University of Nsukka

2010-03-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

Today the Delegation visited the University of Nsukka. This is one of the largest Universities in Nigeria. Would you like to see where the University is? Click on this link: http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&q=university+of+Nsukka&fb=1&gl=us&hq=university+of&hnear=Nsukka&hl=en&view=map&cid=12331460587816447063&iwloc=A&ved=0CBQQpQY&sa=X&ei=q4KhS7zUDpCeMrKp0P4H

Can you see the red clay roads? These roads are very difficult to travel. When it rains, like it did yesterday, the clay washes away from the road and leaves very big holes. Sometimes these holes are as deep as 3 feet. Do you know what happens to a car when it accidentally falls into that size hole?

School Children from St. Victor's Welcome the Delegation

2010-03-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

St. Victor's students sing a song "Walking in the Lord" as a song of welcome to the Delegation in May 2008. Can you see the various instruments they are using to keep time? What songs might Archdiocese of Chicago students sing as a song of welcome should we be blessed to have a visit from our friend in Nsukka? What instruments would we use to show our joyful celebration? What songs would we want to sing?

Welcome Ceremony at St Victor's Parish

2010-03-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

The young men's group at St. Victor's Parish plays music, sings, and dances for the delegation from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Their music and dancing entices the delegation to join in the dance!

Friday Update

2010-03-13T18:31:00.000-08:00

There is great excitement among our group at their safe arrival in Lagos, Nigeria. Today Carol got the call that other than their plane getting in an hour late all is well. They arrived about 6 PM Nigerian time--7 hours ahead of us--until daylight savings time!

The group enjoyed a Nigerian supper and were on their way to the RELIANCE Hotel with Emmanuel and Fr. Willy. The convent they originally planned to stay in was booked for a retreat, but with a name like Reliance, we are sure they are sleeping peacefully!

Tomorrow they will get up early and catch an 8:30 plane and will be meet by Fr. Fidelis and Azubika. Two wonderful drivers with large hearts and smiles who will continue the journey with them to Nsukka.

Until we hear more, know that your people are in good company and having a great adventure!

Itinerary for the Delegation the Diocese of Nsukka

2010-03-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

Archdiocese of Chicago
Office of Catholic Schools
In Partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria
Catholic School Leadership Delegation
March 11 – 20, 2010

Itinerary and Schedule

March 11 (Thursday) Depart for Paris AF0667 at 17:25. We will meet at the International Terminal at the departure gate no later than 4:45 PM

March 12 (Friday) Depart for Lagos AF0584 at 10:55. Arrive at Murtala Muhammed International at 3:10 Greeted by Fr. Wilfred Odo and transported to the Eucharistic Sisters Convent and Hostel. 7:30 Dinner

March 13 (Saturday) 5:15 Depart for Regional Airport (breakfast at airport) Leave by regional plane for Enugu, Nigeria, in the morning (TBA).Welcome by Fr. Fidelis Ikpe, Diocesan Director of Education. Transport to Nsukka, Nigeria. Arrival at Mt. Tabor Carmelite Monastery for week’s residence

3:00 Late Lunch (monastery)
6:30 Welcome and Meeting with Bishop Francis Okobo
8:00 Supper (Bishop Okobo’s residence)

March 14 (Sunday) 7:30 Breakfast (monastery)
9:00 Mass at St. Victor Parish (St. Mary Station)
1:00 Lunch (monastery)
2:30 Excursion into Nsukka
5:00 Conversation about Education in Nigeria (UNN)
7:00 Supper (monastery)
8:00 Evening Reflection and Planning

March 15 (Monday) 7:30 Breakfast
9:30 Site Visit: Holy Infants Nursery and Primary School Meeting of Head Administrator (at St. Victor Parish House)

11:00 Site Visit: St. Catherine College and St. Theresa College Meeting with Principals and Administrators of Colleges
1:30 Lunch (monastery)
2:30 Site Visit: St. Patrick’s Nursery/ Primary, Obollo Afor and St. Patrick’s Secondary School

7:00 Supper (monastery)
8:30 Evening Reflection: Land Proposed for Model School Project Meeting with Project Manager Rev. Wilfred Odo and Planning

March 16 (Tuesday) 7:30 Breakfast
9:30 Site Visits: St. Paul Nursery/ Primary School, Aguamede, Ikem and Neke

2:00 Lunch (monastery)
3:00 Site Visit to St. John Cross Seminary School Nsukka
7:00 Supper (monastery)
8:30 Evening Reflection (led by Fr. John Igwebueze and Mrs.Veronica Obi, Future Search Conference) and Planning

March 17 (Wednesday) 7:30 Breakfast
9:30 Site Visits: St. Mary Nursery / Primary School, Ehalumona, St. Charles College, Opi, and Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka

1:30 Lunch (monastery)
2:30 Site Visit: St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Ibagwa Aka and St. Mary Nursery/ Primary School, Ibagwa Aka

7:00 Supper (monastery)
8:30 Evening Reflection (led by Fr. George Dine “Igbo Culture and Spirituality”) and Planning

March 18 (Thursday) 7:30 Breakfast
9:30 Site Visits to McGlade Secondary School, Ogurute and St. Mary Nursery/ Primary School, Ogurute
1:00 Lunch (monastery)
2:30 Site Visit: Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Fr. Bernard Eze, Director (Conversation about health issues in Nigeria and tour of hospital)

4:00 Shopping at Nsukka Market
7:00 Supper (St. Victor Parish House) Upper Balcony
8:30 Evening Reflection (Q & A with Director of Education, University of Nigeria “Future of Education in Nigeria”) and Planning

March 19 (Friday) 7:30 Breakfast
9:30 Site Visit: Santa Maria Nursery/ Primary School, Nsukka, and St. Francis College, Ovoko

1:00 Lunch with Fr. Moses, O.Carm. and Fr. Chrysogonus,

O.Carm. (“Vocations in the Catholic Church in Nigeria”)
3:00 Site Visit: Bus Tour of University of Nigeria and St. Peter Church) and Okunerere Adoration Umu Oshene

5:00 Preliminary Packing for Trip Home
7:00 Closing Gathering with Bishop Francis Okobo

March 20 (Saturday) 7:30 Breakfast and Final Preparations for Leaving
9:30 Leave Nsukka for Enugu and depart for Lagos
2:30 Lunch at Eucharistic Sisters Convent and Hostel Depart for Paris AF0855 at 23:35 Depart for Chicago AF0664 at 10:35 Arrive Chicago at 12:55

March 25 10:00 Future Search Conference II

Future Search Conference Photos are now online.

2010-03-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

In May 2009, six visitors from the Nsukka Committee of Interests of the Archdiocese of Chicago facilitated a weeklong Future Search Conference with over 100 educators representing the schools, the diocese and the local government. This planning process was an astounding experience for participants and facilitators alike! Together they developed 17 goals that the group agreed to address in the next several years. The essence of the goals is to provide effective Catholic education by upgrading current teaching and learning practices to meet new educational needs in a developing country. A major component of the plan is the creation of a PK through college lab school for educating and training prospective teachers in a lab setting that incorporates the best of teaching and learning techniques. Find more photos here,

Join Campaign

2010-03-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

You can join the Catholic School children of the Archdiocese of Chicago in caring for the children of the Nsukka Catholic Schools by participating in the Dollars for Dreams Campaign for 2010.

2010-03-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

Two Packing tips: If you head out to Target or some such place, look in the camping section for a cup that collapses. This is a handy thing to have for cleaning out your tooth brush in combination with your bottled water!

If you are a coffee drinker, bring along instant coffee as Nigerian's tend to be tea drinkers. You will have access to hot drinkable water but your hosts will not necessarily have instant coffee in the store house.

Safe Journey

2010-02-24T15:28:00.001-08:00

March 11, 2010 begins the spring delegation from Chicago to Nsukka. Your prayers and concern for these ten delegates are deeply appreciated. Watch for their updates during this journey.

Sr. Barbara Jean Ciszek, CSJ, Principal, Cardinal Bernadin Early Childhood Center
Ms. Stephanie Clausell, Principal, St. Albie School
Mr. Vito De Frisco. Principal, St. Hubert School (Hoffman Estates)
Mrs. Bernadette Felicione, Immaculate Conception School (Talcott)
Sr. Marie Michelle Hackett, OP, Principal, St. Edward School
Mrs. Jeanne Henry, Teacher, Holy Family Catholic Academy (Inverness)
Dr. Gretchen Ludwig, Principal, , Holy Family Catholic Academy (Inverness)
Mrs. Brenna O'Hearn, Teacher, St. James School (Arlington Heights)
Sr. Mary Zachary Sergeena, OP, Principal, St. John the Evangelist School, (Streamwood)
Ms. Esther Hicks, Director of Catholic School Mission