‘Teacher Vovo’ Looks Back At Successful Year

Eleven-year-old Varivo Ndjavera, more affectionately known as ‘Teacher Vovo’, has been spending her year teaching children from various schools how to read. As a lover of English, the bubbly bookworm from Holy Cross Convent School said her year was incredible and hopes to do more in the future.

spoke to the ‘teacher’ about her plans for next year.

According to Ndjavera, the reading programme has been enlightening and she’s happy to have made a difference in the community. “Teachers and pupils are very excited about what I do. The pupils have shown a lot of appreciation,” she said. “Most people say it is a good initiative and when they say that, it really keeps me motivated to do more. I believe in ‘children helping children’ which is a practice at my school, Holy Cross Convent.”

Many of the children in the reading group did not know how to read well, but thanks to Ndjavera and her persistence, their reading skills have improved significantly.

“The children have really improved in their reading skills and in their speech. They are able to understand questions, especially when they are writing tests. They really appreciate and thank me all the time. All my previous year’s pupils passed their grades and I am sure the current pupils will pass too. It really makes me happy because I can see that I’m helping them,” Ndjavera said.

Concerning the books this year, Ndjavera was focusing more on topical, yet interesting books. “In the beginning of the year, we read a book called ‘The Magic School Bus’ and we did a whole lot of spelling exercises and tests. From the middle to the end of the year, we read stories from the textbooks that they use in class and did spelling, storytelling and poems.”

As for 2019, Ndjavera has a lot in store. “I am planning on doing more literature, orals, reading as well group work and language tests,” she confirmed. “I would like to thank Business Financial Solutions Fund Manager for sponsoring the programme this year. The pupils received bags and writing material.”

Her mother, Enzy Ndjavera is very proud of her achievements: “She always makes sure she’s well prepared. She shows a lot of commitment. She has this belief that even if she’s tired or has something to do, she’ll cancel everything because the children are waiting for her.”

Adding that her daughter is quite shy at times, she still shows enthusiasm. “She gets overwhelmed by the crowd when she gets to the school. She’s so shy, she wants to open up a hole and jump in it!

But I’m really proud of her and I like the fact that she’s not asking for anything in return. Thank you so much to the sponsors and those who have committed themselves to sponsoring her next year.”

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