From Brooks Goddard:

Dear colleagues,

First, let me thank Sharon Hartmann again for organizing a
wonderful reunion. Truly great work. Kudos to her committee as well,
especially Marty Lemke.

Second, here are relevant notes that should be made available to all.
But first, I want to ensure that they are accurate. Kindly put in your
oar by October 12.

Here are the notes; note the 3 divisions (and plz identify yourself in
III).

Asante, brx


TEAA Seattle-07 Conference

I  Notes of Friday afternoon meeting, September 14

submitted by John Dwyer
transcribed by Brooks Goddard

1. group respondent, Linda Kunz

a.   Most of the discussion and activitiy seems to focus on
former TEArs. What about former TEEArs? Are we paying enough attention
to our responsibilities for teacher training?

b.   Elementary education is a top priority (42% of the population
is under 15). Can the ACCES model be taken elsewhere and expanded? Can
there be more government support and involvement?

c.   Volunteer opportunities needed so that we can move quickly to the
stage where we teach more people to fish....

2.   group respondent, Frank Mitchell

d.   Excellent programs already in place but more can be done by
mobilizing support (personnel, material) and then implementing
programs.

e.   Provide support to schools, especially computers and trained
computer users. Computers need to be taught. Sadly, internet connectioon
costs $300 per month at Bwiru (TZ).

f.   Are sufficient quantities of the right books being provided
to the schools? Are they properly secured and maintained in the
library?

g.   Most of us would not want to go back ot East Africa for another
tour, but maybe there are TEAArs who would be willing to go to an East
African school for 3 months or so for a special project. Volunteers
could pay travel expenses and the schools could provide room and board.

h.  Students don't necessarily want instruction or inspiration in
esoteric topics, but they do want to be taught to get through the
standard examinations.

i.  Bill Jones makes a special plea for support of regular
recreational reading reading with no necessary connection to school
assignments. Read recreationally for 20+ minutes daily. Go to a
library. Get library cards. Borrow books. Books must become your
lovers!

3.  group respondent, Reed Stewart

j.   Before today most members had been thinking in terms of a major
project. Maybe today's discussion has led to condsidering more modest
aspirations such as sending books and school supplies.

k.  Example: We supported a Tanzanian teacher to attend a 5-week
course on computers. He came away transformed, never again to be
intimidated by the machines. Should TEAA support several such teachers
to go to courses during school break? Problem: head of school may not
want to let her/him go away even for a short time.

4.  group respondent, Ed Schmidt

l.  Funding issues.

m.  How can TEAA expand its activities?

n.  How can credibility be maintained?

o.  The essential thing is that corruption must be avoided.


II Sunday morning meeting, September 16 - Brooks Goddard

1.   The Steering Committee and the Grants Committee should be
solicited to determine if members wish to continue their membership.

2.   to enlarge the group of the willing, the general membership of
TEAA should be solicited for higher levels of participation.

3.   Designation of our flagship schools: Mackay Memorial College,
Nateete in Kampala, UG; A. C. Butonge High School in Bungoma, KE;
Nyakato Secondary School in Bukoba, TZ. These schools have been
designated flagship schools because of their head of school
leadership, vision, regularity of communication, and use of TEAA
grants.

4.   How do we determine particular needs for particular schools?
How can we find local information? Should we ask to contact the local
school board chair to ensure that as much local input for
detertminimng aid as possible is sought? Might a local NGO serve this
purpose? Paternalism is the solicitation of grants and the allocation
of monery must be avoided.

5.  TEAA should further explain its grants process.

6.  Mightn't TEAA attempt to raise considerable more money by being
more asggressive fund raisers? Solicitation of welathy members. Formal
fund raisers such as edu-tourism the creation of destination visits to
schools as well as regular tourist sights. Solicitation of US-AID
(TEA/TEEA were funded by AID). Seek assistance of Anne
Williams/TOSTAN. Can we find corporate sponsors? Can the membership be
more generous?

7.  Mightn't teacher training programs be not only a new avenue for
TEAA but a better way to attract institutional funding?  [Response
Note: TEAA's communication with our supported schools has always
included the offer of teacher training and the request for TEAA
visitor room and board.]