Another type of school in Greenland...
Emilie Pike, native of Ittoqqortoormiit, is a new teacher. Previously a carpenter, he is looking forward to this opportunity to strengthen his community. But he will not be working in the local elementary/secondary school. Instead he will provide lessons to 18-30 year old adults who were unsuccessful their first time in school, who finished with weak basic skills. He will teach mathematics and carpentry at the Motivation Center, an adult school that has been working with young adults in Ittoqqortoormiit for the last two years.
This Greenlandic program has been in existence for the last five years countrywide, but was started here in 2005 by Emilie Napãtõg. Raised here in the village, Emilie left for Denmark for her last year of public school. Later, university course work in Nuuk, in west Greenland, led to a degree in social work. This led to what she calls her "perfect job”; here, as director of the Motivation Center. Emilie hopes to give some unskilled members of this community job and career skills and to strengthen basic skills in mathematics, the Danish language and writing.
Along with these basics, she will hire guest teachers for one or two months; to give the students knowledge in carpentry, sewing, needlework, drama and perhaps music. The school is designed to last for one year, and she is adjusting it as the need arises. Emilie has found that these adults need breaks from schooling just as the children have school holidays.
These children, public school age, making their own playground.
it’s a study of physics and momentum!
If there is to be a hunt, her school program may be set aside temporarily. Community pride and respect for the values of the community are an essential part of her program. The primary goals are to give these adults a sense of self-worth, the ability to provide for themselves and a family and very importantly, to make and keep this community strong.
When the students obtain some skills at making items and begin to produce good quality goods, those items can be sold and the profits kept by the students. Since many goods are purchased through the mail, goods for sale locally may fill an economic niche.
For the moment, the Motivation Center holds classes in both the local artist house and the local schools’ sports hall. They have begun to build their own building with funds provided by the government. And with Emilie receiving the grant money she was awarded this year, she is expecting to be able to place 12 new computers in that new building. This year’s group of 13 will begin their lessons next week, in two groups. Ones who volunteered will be boated out to a hunting cabin for a few days of clean up, painting and to replacing a door, all under Emilie’s guidance and expertise. Those who chose to stay in the village will utilize a local kitchen to prepare an elaborate lunch for visiting dignitaries next Friday.
As Emilie discussed her program, the excitement she has was clear to see. She cares deeply for Ittoqqortoormiit, for the family she has here and for the culture which she is part of. As the students develop computer skills, she would like develop correspondence with others who are English speakers. I will be happy to forward to her any possible avenues for young adults in other communities to correspond, and will also have my students establish email contact.
All children are full of possibilities.