   Since 2000, IMS has been sponsoring an innovative project to use scientific education to overcome long-term cultural poverty conditions by interacting directly with the poor working children who are most adversely affected. The project, called “Character Teaching” (CT) has recently been showing signs of moving towards its eventual operation in the East African countries of Uganda and Kenya.
    Until now, the CT project has met many obstacles, due to its innovative, unconventional approach to overcoming proverty through education. For example, instead of the more conventional approach of proving poor children with free food, healthcare, and traditional classroom schooling, the CT project employs the concept of “exchange of value” (time for money) with the children directly in their working or residential location. This “exchange of value” approach allows CT teachers to engage poor working children directly on the streets, if necessary, in brief tutoring sessions each day.
    In 2023, Caroline Mypisi in Uganda and Everline Oyie in Kenya have been active members of the CT consultation boards in their respective countries. In this role, they have been assisting IMS get in contact with government officials to obtain the necessary support and approval required in preparation for its actual operation. Based on an introductory letter by IMS to each country’s president, Caroline and Everyline have been seeking to follow up that letter to meet with government officials to discuss their specific support and cooperation. Now, they have both had successful meeting with such officials, offering hope that a suitable letter of support may soon be possible.
    Once IMS receives support from the government, the next step will be to prepare an initial consultation visit to conduct a workshop training to prepare suitable candidate who will eventually become the staff and teachers in the project operation itself. Lee is especially hopeful that success with the project in one area, such as East Africa, will bring about interest in the project operation elsewhere in other high poverty areas of the world.
For further information about CT project, contact : IMS, havis@imsmontessori.org