Jane van den Berg:
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Africa
Jane van den Berg has served on the mission field since 1977. She serves among the Senoufo people in Cote d’Ivoire. She also assists with various Senoufo-dialect literacy projects, providing help with ideas, teacher training and material preparation. Along with literacy programs, Jane also trains women, students and professionals in basic computer skills and typing. While these are important skills for the job market, they are not taught in the classroom. The average high school computer lab has one or two computers for every 40 students. Jane provides computer training and experience in six-week segments for three students at a time in her office.
As the Christian Vocational School for Girls takes shape, Jane is expecting her focus to turn toward women’s education for employment. “Every day, I see potential not being used as girls choose undisciplined lifestyles, thinking they have no other choice,” said Jane. She has spent much of this term writing curriculum for these young women, believing that someday there will be a school where honorable choices will be presented and will find a wholesome way to express their worth.
How and when did you first connect to Calvary?
The Area Director contacted the church about having me come when I was first appointed with Conservative Baptist Foreign Missionary Service (now World Venture) in 1977.
What will be some of your upcoming challenges?
Preparing curriculum, finding and training teachers, getting funding for the construction, finding a contractor to oversee the construction, finding a director.
What do you miss about Cote d’Ivoire, Africa when you are back in the States?
Warm weather and the variety of fresh tropical fruits we have available.
What do you enjoy when back in the States?
Driving (people actually obey the rules, the roads are maintained, streets are marked, Interstate signs are easy to follow); family and friends that I haven’t seen in a long time; shopping.
When do you plan to return to Cote d’Ivoire, Africa?
End of July 2009
Anything else you would like to share?
Pray for reinforcements for my team. I’m not wired to be a lone ranger and it’s hard to keep going when I don’t have a team around me.
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