Free Electronics Class for Day - Workers

Posted by Marius on Aug 25, 2010 at 08:32 am

When Michiel Van de Visser came to Mercy Ships, he imagined he would be doing technical work that would indirectly change lives. Mercy Ships was in Togo to deliver free health care. Though important, Michiel's position as an Electronics Technician did not directly influence the patients' lives. Michiel was very skilled at his job and even became a Christian while serving with Mercy Ships. He loyally performed his duties working on the bridge equipment and the engine room equipment, ensuring that the ship was in tip-top shape.

It never occurred to Michiel that he would have the opportunity to directly change people's lives . “I had this thought about a year ago that I was going to come to Africa and teach. But I'm not a teacher at all. It wasn't until I got here that I realized how that idea would materialize.” Health care may be the main purpose of Mercy Ships, but Michiel is a superb example of how Mercy Ships makes a difference in people's lives outside of the hospital – through capacity building.

Day-Volunteers are local men and women who work for Mercy Ships during a Field Service. In Togo, Mercy Ships hired over 150 day-volunteers to serve as translators, cooks, and maintenance workers, among other things. In the Engineering Department, the day-volunteers maintain the air-conditioning, plumbing and other vital jobs that allow 350 volunteers to live and work onboard.

Michiel was approached by Alfred, a day-volunteer who was very eager to learn more about basic electronics. Alfred identified Michiel as a skilled worker who was the right man to teach him. Alfred inquired about books or any other resources he could use to absorb knowledge about building and operating basic electronics.

Michiel thought about the man's request and wondered how he could help him. As Michiel prayed about the situation, he realized this was the opportunity to teach that he had previously thought about! God wanted him to impart his electronics knowledge to a group of enthusiastic men who were eager to learn.

Michiel and Alfred prayed for God to give them the wisdom, patience, and resources to follow this idea through. Alfred quickly identified four other day-volunteers interested in participating in a course. Michiel researched how to teach an electronics class.

Within a very short time, Michiel found himself teaching an electronics class two nights a week to five zealous students frantically scribbling down his every word.

“I was really teaching myself to teach. If you are a teacher, you've got to know what you're talking about. I had a lot of on-the-job experience that I could offer them, but if I didn't know something, I'd simply Google it!” Michiel said. For every hour he was in front of the class teaching, he spent at least an hour in preparation outside the classroom.

Getting materials was challenging. Michiel found a good textbook online. He happened to be going to Florida for a wedding, so he had the books shipped to a friend's house there. Then he brought the books back to Togo with him. All five of the students purchased the book. Luckily, through prayer and the willingness of people to help, the class received all the resources they needed.

“The first three months I dedicated to theoretical teaching. I stood in front of a white board, explaining to them about basic electronic components,” explained Michiel.

Oluwafemi, known simply as Femi, was one of the Michiel's students. He was extremely excited about the new skills he gained from the class. “I have been able to learn basic electronics. I've learned about soldering and how to recognize printed circuit boards and the various components that go into a printed circuit board.”

Michiel felt it was very important for the class to put their theoretical knowledge to the test. They needed a practical application of what they had learned. On a personal trip home to Holland, Michiel purchased five electronic modeling kits. His brother graciously agreed to sponsor the materials . “I brought back the modeling kits, and they served as the ‘final exam' of the course. Each student put together a different electronic device. It involved soldering and making their own printed circuit boards.”

After months of learning, it was time for the class to come to an end. Michiel felt these five men deserved some kind of recognition for the hard work they invested in this course . “They all learned so much,” Michiel said. “I was so proud of them – they took their free time to attend this class. They deserved something to show for their accomplishment.”

Africa Mercy Captain Tim Tretheway was happy to help Michiel honor these hard-working day-volunteers. He had official Mercy Ships certificates made. They were presented during an informal graduation ceremony.

Femi felt blessed to be given the chance to learn something new. “I am grateful to God and to Michiel for giving me the opportunity to learn these skills.”

“Now these men have a skill,” Michiel reflects, “something they can put on their resume to prove they have knowledge of electronics. I hope this expertise serves them well in the future.”

Mercy Ships seeks to put knowledge into the heads and hands of as many people in West Africa as possible. That knowledge – whether it is agriculture, mental health, dental hygiene or something else – will continue to spread long after the ship has sailed. Capacity building is a wonderful way to truly transform a group … a city … a nation. Providing aid is helpful, but it is simply a Band-Aid on a severely damaged body. But, if you give West Africans the knowledge to grow better crops or make better electronics, then that knowledge is a stepping stone to building a stronger economy … and better lives.

Michiel invested his own time, energy, knowledge and resources in these five men. His efforts will undoubtedly continue to improve their lives many years down the road.

And he thought he wasn't going to directly change lives … think again.

Comments: