By Inji Kim
Technology is making it easier than ever for us to communicate with people all over the world. However, does technology truly enrich our lives or does it impoverish us instead?
My team, Pluscope, is working on a project called “Gible” that utilizes technology to enrich the lives of children in Africa and the lives of retired seniors in North America. I would like to share our journey and introduce our service with the hope that you will keep us in your prayers and, even better, join us in impacting the lives of children in Africa as teachers and mentors.
Our journey started from the mission trips we have gone on in several countries in Africa, such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, and Burundi. The missionaries we met during our trips were serving these communities by operating local schools, among many other duties. Since education is the key to overcoming poverty for these children, the missionaries were keen to provide the best possible education for them. They were especially interested in English education because English is essential for these children to pursue further studies or even find jobs in these countries.
While pursuing my graduate studies in the U.S., I learned about the loneliness and social isolation affecting the retired elderly, as well as the positive impact that bonding with children can bring them to overcome these problems (Hidden in Plain Sight: How Intergenerational Relationships Can Transform Our Future, 2017). These experiences have led us to contemplate the possibility of building a platform, Gible, that would connect the children in Africa and the elderly in North America. The kids will have the opportunity to learn English from the elderly while the elderly can actively engage in meaningful activities that would help them overcome loneliness and social isolation.
Gible was developed after years of preparation: (1) identifying schools in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, as well as seniors of churches in Toronto for collaboration; (2) conducting feasibility surveys with the seniors, students, and schools; and (3) testing the local internet infrastructure and the quality of video chat between schools and facilities. In parallel with the development of the system, Pluscope created educational content tailored for video interaction. Since 2018, both the system and the materials have been tested at four different locations in three countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania).
The time difference between Eastern Africa and Eastern Canada makes participation more convenient; the hours that students are available for learning fits nicely with the free time in the retirement communities and ESL programs at church. From NGO partnerships with foundations dedicated to making computer labs and schools around the world, we are expanding Gible’s reach in developing countries and continuing to improve the class with seniors in Toronto.
In 2019, Gible has tested seven-week after-school classes in Ethiopia and Tanzania with an ESL leader, Colin Brewster, at Trinity Grace Church in Toronto. He pointed out the ease of the content structures: clear instructions on each page telling both teachers and students what to do step by step which requires no detailed preparation for the teachers before each lesson. Also, 30 to 40-minute long classes give just enough time for both parties to have a little chitchat and learn without any distractions or boredom.
Talking with somebody in another country using English is an experience beyond exciting and thrilling for the students. However, the students are not the only ones who benefit from this session. “After each lesson, you can be sure of this one thing; the bright eyes and the smiling faces of those ever so grateful students will keep a smile on your face through the rest of the day,” said Colin Brewster after his experience with the students.
One lesson consists of one chapter of a storybook followed by online exercises that help students to review new vocabulary words and sentences that they learned from the reading. As a teacher and a mentor, you not only teach them how to read and pronounce words but also let them know that there is someone on the other side of the world who thinks of them and prays for them.
With all that said, we are looking for volunteer elderly teachers who can be a positive influence in the lives of these children! Please join us on our journey and keep us in your prayers! Thank you and God bless you.
Follow our journey on Instagram or Youtube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluscope_gible
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lCToDGxuvysLcF4xm5oww
For more information, contact us at pluscope410@gmail.com or go to www.pluscope.com (homepage) & www.gibleworld.com (beta service)
Editor’s Note: To listen to Colin Brewster’s experience of teaching in the Gible project, click the video link here.