Gulf of Guinea Education Project - School Visits Days 1 & 2

Yesterday we began our school visits. Our team: Bob Drewes, Curator of Herpetology at The California Academy of Sciences, Roberta Ayres, Science Educator/Translator, Roberta Dos Santos, local teacher and long time friend, who lives in São Tomé, Andrew Stanbridge, World's Largest Photographer and I headed to the southern community of Angolares to see the 5th graders there. It was raining hard, but the road is in good shape so it only took a little over an hour to there. The photos below are a little foggy because my lens kept fogging up.

We were all delighted to see that the posters we brought to this school in 2011 are still up both outside and in the school office! The Principal remembered us and welcomed us back warmly. The kids were fantastic! 

 This is a large home just of the main road in Santana and across the street from the school.

Our school visits later this week will be more challenging because the schools are larger and there will be many more students. Here in the community of Santana we visited two secondary or middle schools. and 330 students in 8 classes. Here are some photos I took in between passing out books while trying not to pass out! It was very hot!!!

 The rain and humidity takes its toll on paint and buildings, the second school, below, was freshly painted, this one is due!

 We ask two students to come up and read a few lines from our booklet. When they are finished Bob gives them one of our stick on patches. We have 500 patches to leave behind this year - we are giving each teacher a few to use as incentives for their students. 

Over the last two years we have given out 1000 patches and we see them on many of the students' uniforms. The patch design is the same as the front of our book. I guess you could say that we are trying to brand ourselves!

What a difference fresh paint can make!

 The Principal at this school came with us to all 5 classes. Once he heard our presentations of the booklet, he totally took over and was having a blast introducing the book to his students.  

One of the things Bob most enjoys is being in the classroom and handing out the books. 

 Giving each child their own book is very important.