Sunday 14 August 2011

Computer In-servicing

Thursday, August 11

For the past two weeks I have been working with seventeen Chalice Field workers and Office staff teaching basic Microsoft Picture Manager, Powerpoint, Word, and Excel.  There were even a few times when the Internet was strong enough and we were able to Skype my family.  It was eight days of intense learning, with the keenest learners I have ever taught.  They were sponges; eager and excited about their new learning and discoveries.  A few of them have written a short autobiography for this blog, to offer a glimpse of their life.   

From left to right: Francis, Thomas, Bright, Joseph and Samuel.  I couldn’t have done the eight days of in-servicing without Samuel’s help.  In addition to taking care of computer problems, Samuel would translate when someone didn’t understand my accent or explanation, and help people individually.

Donlaara Samuel Mireni
As the last born of the first of his three wives, the late Mr. Naa-Imah Donlaara Laatu chose me at the age of 11 to go to school, to accomplish whatever he was denied the opportunity to in the early 1930s.  He told me “Mireni I want you to go to school and find whatever I was denied, when I was rejected, after been chosen to attend school in my childhood”
I, Naa-Imah Donlaara Samuel Mireni started my basic education at Jeyiri Local Authority Primary School.  I was transferred to the then Wa Catholic Primary School, now St. John`s Catholic School in Wa to continue from class 3.  Wa is the capital town of the youngest region in Ghana, the Upper West Region.  There at Wa Catholic School I acquired my basic education certificate in 1999, and continued with the second cycle education (senior high school) at the then Lassia-Tuolu Senior Secondary school, now St. Ignatius Senior High school.  I acquired my secondary school certificate in General Arts to proceed to the tertiary level.
Where and how at all could this poor farmer`s son get about GH¢30.00 to buy a university application form to apply to go to the university?  I had to go to the Southern part of Ghana to labour for money.  From there I had some amount with which I supported my family to buy a Polytechnic application form at GH¢15.00.  I gained admission into Wa Polytechnic in November, 2003 to pursue a Higher National Diploma in Secretaryship and Management Studies.  I graduated in 2006 and after I had done my mandatory national service in August 2007, I was appointed to serve as a Sub Site Director in Chalice Lassia-Tuolu Parish of the Wa Sponsor Site in Ghana.
I owe Chalice a lot of thanks.  But for the kind support of the sponor site, I wouldn`t have been able to pursue my course at the Polytechnic. Many thanks and may God richly bless Chalice.  After working with Chalice for about 2 yrs I was supported once more to study an IT (information technology) course for 15 months.  Now I work as a Sub Site Director and IT support in the Lassia-Tuolu Parish Chalice.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Chalice, sponsors, donors and all who are affiliated with Chalice everywhere.  I humbly implore everybody to help me thank and ask the good Lord our Ever merciful Father to bless and reward Chalice, sponsors, donors and you for joining hands to make me what I am today. May we all be granted long and prosperous lives. I am serving Chalice with all my heart and thus shall I continue to serve. 

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