Research – Interviews – Podcasts

April 3, 2014

This week is the last week before the students have their “Easter Break” or in other words, the break between the second and third term.

On Monday I was scheduled to meet with the High Birth Rate group at the cyber in Buea Town. They are the only group this year who has decided not to do an interview but instead film themselves discussing the topic in depth. To do this, they needed to do a lot more research so that they were able to discuss for a decent length of time during their video. Sadly only one member out of three showed up but we still managed to get tons of work done! First, I prompted her to review all of the research she had already done so that she could assess what other sorts of information she wanted to research. She then moved onto web based researching the points she had just wrote down. I helped her sort through the documents since there was a lot to go through and none of her partners were there to contribute. Because it was such a one-on-one class, we were able to complete everything and now the group has enough information to do a discussion for the video next term.

For this particular research topic (High Birth Rate) we specifically looked into why high birth rate in general can cause other problems, why it’s a problem at all (causes) and some solutions. Some reasons for the problem are as follows: many people do not have access to contraceptives, they do not believe in the use of them (myths, religion, spousal disagreement, etc) and sometimes people still like the idea of big families for reasons of status and also more hands for work. Why high birth rate can cause problems is because people who are already in poverty or living in poor conditions are having more children. Many questions arise such as, can health and education facilities in the developing world keep up with an increase in population? What about access to food, water and shelter? There are also some who predict massive conflicts over land. More people = more land. You will just have to wait for their video to be released to find out some of the solutions they have found!



Here is a snapshot of the High Birth Rate group!

Two students from the Advanced YAN class at Lycee Molyko conducted their interviews on Tuesday after school. Cardaine who is researching Nature Conservation spoke with Mr. Masango who is the director of Green Cameroon and environmental NGO operating in Buea Town.

Jean interviewd Mr. Blaise who is the director of Human IS Right which is an NGO also in Buea Town about the rampant corruption in Cameroon. Both of the experts interviewed gave some fascinating insight to the magnitude of problems at hand, the reasons for the problem and also some solutions. I look forward to seeing their final videos and I hope you guys are too.






Have you heard!? Nearly all of the podcasts are uploaded onto the YAN website!!! Please bare with us as we upload large files such as podcasts, videos and even photos as the internet over here is challenging and sporadic in its speed!


 

Preparations for Filming

April 1, 2014


For both of our club classes last week, one at BGS Molyko and the other at GHS Buea Town, we had a special guest join us. Maddy is on exchange from the United States through a study abroad program by Antioch University. She is studying at University of Buea for three months and has chosen to work with YAN until June. This week was her first of many.


After I introduced her she mostly observed the class structure, the students and myself. I had her come with me around to each group t...


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Ready! Set! ACTION!

March 28, 2014

Cardaine working on his storyboard.


This week – the Advanced YAN class perfected their storyboards. They were reminded to act as the writer, director and producer of their film meaning they had to organize every single little thing.

 

Every film will consist of three parts: 1) an introduction; 2) a body (usually an interview with an expert) and lastly; 3) a conclusion. Once these three parts are filmed the students can start editing the videos using a program called “Windows Movie...


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Advanced YAN Prepares to Film This Week

March 24, 2014
Thursday’s Advanced YAN class was really productive -- they all should be filming for their videos this week and next week!!

On the down side, we may have lost 2 students (Shemilove and Deril) who have not showed up for a couple of weeks and who did not show up again today. But on the up side, all of the students who were present had their homework finished!! One by one I reviewed their storyboard and corrected their letters requesting an interview. Everything looked great. Students worked...


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Wuch kin chop whiteman chop?

March 22, 2014
 Club classes for this week went really well and our students are right on track!!


Both classes on Wednesday (Lycee Molyko and Buea Town) had 14 students attending. At first, things were a bit hectic and crazy… but that’s how it usually is. There had been no power again throughout Molyko and when I arrived early to set up for class the doors to my surprise were locked! I called and called both teachers whom I knew had keys – no one was available. I found another computer teacher who ...


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TWO Lycee Essay Contest Winners!!

March 18, 2014
This week I am announcing the winners of the International Women's Day Essay Contest for Lycce Molyko. There was no power the day of the original lesson plan therefore we had to hold two make up classes in order to give everyone a change to hand in the essay. Prizes given included a variety of school supplies.
Check out some of the videos we watched HERE!

School: Bilingual Grammar School - Lycee Molyko
Winner: Muluh Victory
Class: Lower 6
Chosen Essay Questions:

1. What is gender quality and ho...


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Surprise Visit from Global Giving Guest!!

March 17, 2014
On Wednesday the Biligual Grammar School in Molyko welcomed Britt Lake from GlobalGiving!! GlobalGiving is a US based organization that functions as an online marketplace that connects donors with grassroots projects in the developing world. Check out YAN’s GlobalGiving page HERE!!

 

Britt was welcomed by 8 smiling faces ready for the days lesson on videography. I had written some critical thinking questions on the board relating to the Poverty Video we were watching from last year’s YA...


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Buea Town's Essay Contest WINNER!!

March 13, 2014
Happy International Women’s Day!!

 

Last week I held two make up classes for the International Women’s Day lesson. Early Friday morning I met up with Walters (the YAN in country ‘go to’ guy) who helped me take photos and hold prizes at the GHS Buea Town general assembly.

 

For the essay contest we had three students tied for 2nd place: Ekah Judith, Malange Clinton and Kfu Patience (pictured above) and one 1st place, Yatuh Ketline (pictured below). Prizes comprised of a variety of...


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The Time has Come for Podcast Recodings!!

March 9, 2014
All of the classes this week had to do with PODCASTS!!! What is a podcast you ask…



The Advanced YAN had recorded and made their own in last years YAN Club so this year it was a piece of cake for them. Last week I had assigned the homework for creating their podcasts and on Tuesday we practiced, improved and recorded 4 out of 6 groups’ podcasts.

We first did peer review: each group exchanged with other groups who would read their script and look for errors to correct; just simple t...


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International Women's Day – analysis, research discovering new forms of advocacy and an essay contest!

March 1, 2014
  

Next Saturday, March 8th is International Women’s Day and this week I created and fun and interactive curriculum focusing on this day.

 

 

I found a great series called “Why Women Count” which is 41 five minute short films about women all over the world. Each of the five films has struggles of women from around the world, how they overcame these struggles and how they are helping others – there are many forms of advocacy shown in each video which I am hoping the students will p...


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