Ray teaching math to children at Cincinnati Junior Academy, Ohio, USA.

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In The News

I’d like you to meet Raynold Sikepitu.  Until the end of July 2005 Ray was the Principal of Salamaroa Adventist School located some 3 days travel (2 by foot and 1 by truck) in the highlands south of Honiara, Solomon Islands.

 

I’d also like you to meet Sherree Herdman.  Sherree is currently the Principal at Cincinnati Jr. Academy, Ohio, USA.  During 2004 Sherree volunteered with the SPD Education Department conducting regular primary reading upgrading programs for some 25 teachers in Honiara.  Ray would travel the 3 days to attend the upgrading workshops each time they were held.

 

At the beginning of the American school year the Cincinnati Junior Academy was in need of a support teacher at their school.  As there was no one available for the position, Sherree suggested to the school board that they could offer this position to a volunteer from overseas for a school year.  This would provide valuable experiences to teachers who could pass on their newly developed skills to their colleagues once they arrive back home and also help the school out at less cost than a fulltime teacher..  And so the idea was born and currently Raynold is the fortunate volunteer. 

 

Raynold has never been further than Fulton College away from the Solomon's.  This trip represents an experience of a lifetime.  What does he think of it all?  First he counts it “...as a great privilege and a blessing to be part of the volunteering work.”  He also wants to see “…in the Solomon’s, teachers being faithful to their duty, spending more time preparing lessons and being creative with their art work.”  Sherree also comments that Ray has been a fantastic ambassador for volunteers and Solomon Islanders.  The school and Conference Education Department are considering ways to expand this worthwhile program for the next school year.

 

The generosity of the Cincinnati Junior Academy community and Sherree’s drive to see this project happen is truly appreciated.  Raynold’s experiences this year will have a huge impact on the mission education program in the Solomon's when he returns.  “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these by brethren …”

Ken Weslake. South Pacific Division Education Department

 

Ray with his former students outside Salamarao primary School in the highlands of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

It’s A Long Way From Salamarao To Cincinnati

Date: 15th February, 2006

The Cultures Meet

A beautiful spring day greeted students and teachers from Cincinnati Junior Academy as they attended the Festival of Cultures at the Hamilton Show Grounds in Ohio.  Ray Sikepitu was excited to experience the rhythms of Africa, the dazzling energy of the Aztec dancers, the talents of a Russian circus performance and a journey into the tribal life of Native Americans. He entered enthusiastically into the dance of friendship with students, teachers and cultural performers.

His comment was, “This has been an exciting day.”

10th April, 2006

New friends from Africa.

A new friend from Mexico.