These hands are your hands, these hands are my hands

When the outreach to Liberian and Sierra Leonese youth began 15 years ago through United Methodist Schools, Operation Classroom was born. This milestone gives us a reason to celebrate our partnership with our brothers and sisters there. Many who have lived through the turmoil of war and the renewal and reconciliation of peace still need our help, especially youth.

Perhaps you are asking, "When is the banquet?" We remember the gala of our tenth, with many friends traveling across the seas to join in our celebration. But although there is no banquet, we are still joining hands through a hands-on project to provide much needed vocational training.

Less than 4 percent of the students who graduate from our schools have an opportunity for higher education. The answer to this dilemma? Expanded vocational education in our OC schools in both countries, offering one avenue for youth to become self-supporting. Without tools, it is hard, if not impossible, for youth to learn and hone their skills in agriculture, metal work in small shops and industries, construction, business, and home economics. The tools they need, the tools you can provide, can lead to employment and healthy, productive lives.

In 1989, OC started its vocational program, disrupted by war. In 1995, OC trained 30 ex-combatants for nine months, in three vocations. The program was discontinued because of the 1996 Palm Sunday invasion of Monrovia.

When the ceasefire was signed, many ex-combatants returned to vocational classes, even with a shortage of needed tools and supplies. Today, students in Sierra Leone have few, if any, tools.

Members of our work teams have seen wooden 2' x 4's become their hammers. In schools with a maximum of two sewing machines, teachers have to illustrate stitches by drawing them on chalkboards. There may be only five typewriters for classes of 30 to 60 students. In agriculture classes, some schools use machetes and a few watering cans to teach farming. Hands-on experience with equipment is kept to a minimum.

Yet OC has developed a new way to celebrate its anniversary, very practical and effective. It is the program Project HANDS( Help Alleviate Needs -- Distribute Supplies). Tools will go into all vocational classes in all OC schools, in both Liberia and Sierra Leone.

OC Coordinators, Joe and Carolyn Wagner have printed a catalogue of the tools needed and their projected costs. Contributors to HANDS can determine whether they have such in their garages and basements, or whether a monetary contribution would best suit them. Good used tools, or new ones purchased here or in West Africa, will become building blocks for the future. Conference -- Lay Leaders have asked each district to set aside one month before May 1 to collect tools and funds. February and March have been popular choices. Instructions and suggestions will be available.

HANDS is not limited to individuals and churches. Sunday School classes, youth groups, United Methodist Men and Women may participate. As Jack Dwiggins and Jim Shaw, two conference lay leaders wrote, "We celebrate what God is doing through all of us, and we trust that God will complete a good work in many lives. What a way to make a different world!"

Wouldn't tools of the trades make excellent Christmas gifts to our youth in West Africa, Rev. Wagner muses. Your hands, and my hands, and our hands have a very long reach. Once empty hands, now full, can change many lives .

Contact the Wagners at P.O. Box 277, Colfax, IN 46035. By phone, 765/324-2556. By fax, 765/324-2686. For e-mail, wagners@operationclassroom.org or ccwagner@hotmail.com.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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