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Strategic Education Centers
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News & Photos: Cohort 2 Highlights – 2007
A second set of 100 students from Hillside High School (SEC Student Ambassadors) volunteered to participate in the continuation of: It’s Our Future Too! – Life Skills Enrichment Program co-sponsors were: Strategic Education Centers in Seattle, WA, USA, the 18th District African Methodist Episcopal Church with international offices in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland, and USA headquarters; and the University of Washington, Center for Workforce who managed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant which funded the SEC, It’s Our Future Too! program for 2005 – 2007.
Just like Cohort 1 students, the Student Ambassadors in Cohort 2 met all-day on Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for 13 weeks between January–April 2007. Highly trained Hillside HS teachers and a nurse used an “inter-disciplinary” approach to deliver a co-ed curriculum with 16/1-hour sessions to all 100 students (four groups of 25) each Saturday.
The SEC Saturday curriculum combined: classroom instruction, large and small group learning activities, facilitated group dialogues, guest speakers, viewing of DVD/CD health and life skills resources, interactive software on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, job shadowing site visits, participation in “national events,” and community health-education outreach activities in the City of Manzini, and the capitol city of Mbabane.
All four of the SEC curricula are now available on this web site!
Students received their own Student Workbook to keep for life which contained “student-focused” versions of the four co-ed curricula:
1. Life Skills Enrichment (LSE) classes
Offered girls and boys reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education information to make informed choices, avoid risky behaviors that can endanger their health, curb the transmission of HIV infection, and prevent the spread of AIDS. A professional nurse was on-site each Saturday for confidential, voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and referrals.
2. Computer Technology Training (CTT)
The Hillside High School Computer Instructor provided the SEC students with a variety of technology skills. The SEC, as well as the Swazi ICESA computer training modules were used in the school’s newly upgraded computer lab, and both modules were enhanced with the Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP) training software, donated by the Microsoft Foundation.
Computer-based reproductive, inter-active software such as, “The World Starts with Me” designed by the World Population Foundation was a favorite with the Student Ambassadors.
3. Job Readiness Techniques (JRT) classes
Envisioning and preparing for life’s possibilities requires good health, courage, and preparation!The JRT sessions gave students knowledge, skills and options to explore their future work or education goals, and to better understand their values and behavior choices. Each student used the Computer Lab to write a resume/curriculum vita (CV), and letter of application. Guest speakers from different Swazi work sectors (e.g. business, education, NGOs and government) visited the Saturday sessions to talk about types of jobs, employer expectations, and the importance of staying in school!
All students in Cohort 2 participated in at least one job shadowing experience during the 13-week program. Students met with employers on-site to learn what jobs offer, and the preparation needed to work there.
4. Student Ambassador Program (SAMPRO)
The SAMPRO curriculum sessions were an activity required by the Gates Foundation grant. SEC created curriculum modules so students could develop leadership, public-speaking and community outreach skills. SAMPRO sessions also allowed students to use art, poetry, dance and song to express what the HIV/AIDS epidemic means to them personally. The goal was to create a “safe place” where students would feel comfortable to ask questions and talk about sexuality, use of condoms, intimate relationships, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other reproductive issues.
With these newly acquired skills, students could provide HIV/AIDS education and prevention to at least 100 individuals in the surrounding Manzini community.
Two-hundred SEC Student Ambassadors successfully completed the It’'s Our Future Too! program during 2006-2007, and participated in the SEC Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, April 21, 2007.
Parents of the 200 graduates, friends, teachers and staff, dignitaries, the Manzini Mayor, the local Chief’s representatiave, and over 250 other Hillside High School students were in attendance.
Over 250 Hillside High School students, parents, families and friends of the 200 SEC Student Ambassadors, who also attend HHS, wait for the SEC Graduation Ceremony activities to begin.
Members of the Hillside High School Choir sing one of their powerful and memorable HIV/AIDS songs at the SEC Graduation Ceremony
A SEC Student Ambassador performs his HIV/AIDS rap that he wrote especially for the SEC Graduation Ceremony. The audience is mesmerized with the sincerity and creativity of the message.
Each SEC Student Ambassador received a black and gold-trimmed certificate, and an award letter signed by Dr. Constance W. Rice, the SEC Founder; Suzanne Tripp, SEC Board President, and Liz A. Reynolds Thomas, SEC Project Coordinator.
A special donation from two businessmen in Seattle, WA USA (Mr. Kent Mercer and Mr. Sanford Rose) allowed SEC to give all 200 Student Ambassadors a SEC Tuition Stipend check for 200 Emalangeni.
Other Photos taken at the SEC Graduation Ceremony staged on the Hillside High School playfield are below:
The Honorable Themba J. Msibi, Minister of Education addresses the SEC Student Ambassadors and other special guests at the SEC Graduation Ceremony.
Each of the 200 SEC Student Ambassadors are given their black and gold-trimmed certificate, an award letter and SEC Tuition Stipend check for 200 Emalangeni by: The Honorable Themba J. Msibi, Minister of Education and Mrs. Dumsile T. Sukati, Minister of Natural Resources. Mr. Michael L. Simelane, Headmaster of Hillside High School and SEC In-Country Coordinator looks on.
SEC facilitators are also given special recognition at the SEC Graduation Ceremony. Senator Absalom M.C. Dlamini, Minister of Economic Planning & Development greets and gives a Certificate of Excellence to Bonginkosi S. Dludlu, the SEC In-county Program Coordinator. Ms. Liz Thomas, SEC Project Coordinator from Seattle, WA looks on.
Mr. Mathokoza Dlamini, SEC Facilitator and teacher at Hillside High School, receives congratulations from Senator Absalom Dlamini, Swazi Minister of Economic Planning & Development, while Liz Thomas, SEC Project Coordinator from Seattle, WA looks on.
Following the SEC Graduation Ceremony, a large group photo is taken of the SEC Student Ambassadors (1/2 of the students) with their certificates and tuition checks in-hand. Government Ministers Dlamini and Sukati, as well as the Manzini Mayor are standing to the left in the second row.
This is the second-half of the large group photo taken of the SEC Student Ambassadors with their certificates and tuition checks in-hand. The Education Minister, Reverend Solomon Nxumalo (Presiding Elder of AME Church), and Priti Mody of University of Washington, Center for Workforce Development in Seattle, WA USA (Gates Foundation grant manager) are standing to the right in the second row.
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This is the SEC-Swazi Facilitator Team who dedicated their talents and energy to making the SEC Life Skills Enrichment Program – It’s Our Future Too! – such a meaningful opportunity for the students.
Pictured – Front row, kneeling left to right: Ms. Duduzile Dlamini and Mrs. Thulie Dlamini.
Second row, standing left to right: Senator Absolam Dlamini, Minister of Economic Planning & Development; Reverend Solomon Nxumalo (Manager of AME Schools in Swaziland); Ms. Nonhlanhla S. Ndwandwe, Computer Instructor; Mathokoza Dlamini (teacher); Dumisane R. Msibi (teacher); Sister Lilly Thwala (nurse); Mrs. Constance Mabuza (Program Assistant).
Last row, standing right to left: Supervisor Claytie Davis (18th District AME Church); Alfred F. Tsikati (teacher); Bonginkosi S. Dludlu (In-Country Program Coordinator); Mfanasibili Ndzimandze (teacher); Michael L. Simelane, Hillside High School Headmaster (SEC In-Country Coordinator); Liz A. Reynolds Thomas, SEC Project Coordinator based in Seattle, WA USA.
Strategic Education Centers
info@stratedceducationcenters.orglast updated: 10/03/2008
