One of the most exciting sustainable projects at Hope Haven Rwanda is our agricultural training program. Our parents are able to come to the farm to “earn and learn.” Aline, the leader of one of the crews, is highly dedicated to mothers who come to the farm and work full-time to plant, nurture and harvest on our campus.
This is part of our “See one, do one, teach one” approach to vocational training. In the medical community, procedures are often taught using a method called, “See one, do one, teach one.” It is essentially the identical pattern communicated in Ezra where the prophet “set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).
I’ll explain the training model by using the Prophet Ezra and our field crew leader, Aline, as examples:
Ezra began by “studying.” He observed. He learned. Aline’s crew has learned from one of the best—Nate Kempton! They have watched Nate as he models solid agricultural techniques and trains them on how to manage more than 100 varieties of plants. This is in the learning domain of “discovery.”
Then, Ezra “practiced” the law. He lived the law of the Lord. In the same way, Aline and her crew have had the opportunity to get their hands dirty. To dig, to plant, to nourish and to harvest. This is in the learning domain of “experience.”
Finally, Ezra “taught” God’s law to the people he was called to serve. Aline has grown to the point where she can synthesize the learning and experience that she has and share it with others on her crew. Soon they will also be able to teach others what they have learned and, in a healthy system, the cycle will continue to replicate itself. This is the learning domain of “promotion.”
I am grateful for such a strong team at Hope Haven Rwanda and look forward to continuing to grow with them as we help transform families—spiritually, mentally, physically and vocationally!