S A B A H :

Digitalization in the Ministry Landscape

Over the years, literacy and numeracy education have been the foundation for reaching out to undocumented Filipinos in Sabah. During and after the pandemic, we gradually incorporated online learning. This allowed Philippine-based teaching mothers to educate learners in Sabah, and we began training the first generation schoolhouse teachers.

After Pastor Paul Choo's (PC’s) visit with a diverse team (more about this visit in the previous newsletter - June issue), Eugene Wong proposed digitalizing our efforts. This resulted in the creation of a web app designed to teach life and employable skills specifically in the Sandakan district, to enhance the community's sustainability.

As a result, Ma’am Joy and her team of content writers, Phebie and the core leaders in Sandakan, as well as Eugene and I, began meeting online. Collaboratively, we developed sample content, designed workflows, and established the data infrastructure. Initially, online teachers and content writers tested the app's content upload functionality to ensure ease of use.

Following this, Eugene and I visited Sandakan for two days to deploy the app to schoolhouse teachers and learners, assessing its navigability, user friendliness, and overall suitability for end-users.

With the support of Phebie, Khey, Ruth, Delia, and Sarah, the testing proceeded smoothly, allowing us to collect valuable and constructive feedback for further app development.

ADDRESSING KEY GAPS AND SOLUTIONS

As someone deeply involved in the Sabah ministry, I am grateful for this transformative period. I have always believed in Goducate’s approach to “teach them how to fish” through education and training.

1. Equipping Learners with Employable Skills:

The first gap identified by PC was the need to equip learners with employable skills, rather than merely helping them earn academic certificates. Sabah, with its unique societal challenges, requires a focus on life skills over formal qualifications to meet the immediate needs of the community effectively.

2. Facilitators’ Training and Onboarding:

Another significant gap is in the training and onboarding of facilitators (schoolhouse teachers). During our twoday

visit, it became clear that to effect large-scale change, we had to invest in the facilitators’ development.

These educators are passionate about teaching and supporting their communities, necessitating a comprehensive training plan, growth development initiatives, and a robust onboarding.

As we transition to digitalization, the project’s success hinges on empowering both the first and second generations of facilitators. By providing them with targeted exposure and training, we can ensure they are

well-prepared to impart crucial life skills to the learners.

This dual focus on immediate skill acquisition for learners and the professional development of facilitators will create a sustainable model that addresses Sabah’s unique challenges, ultimately fostering a more resilient and self-sufficient community.

THANKSGIVING

• Thank God for His sustenance, provision, and protection throughout this trip.

• Thank God for His love for Sabah, calling and sending people to serve and partner with us.

• Thank God for the first generation of schoolhouse teachers, whose dedication has made the “school house” model possible over the years.

• Thank God for the second generation of schoolhouse assistants, who are adaptable, young, and energetic.

• Thank God for the core team on the ground—Phebie, Khey, Ruth, Delia, and Sarah—who have become the hands and feet, the salt and light, in the darkened communities of Sandakan and neighboring districts.

• Thank God for Eugene Wong, who initiated the digitalization project and is deeply committed to developing the app.

  
  

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE:

Provision for the more than 50 smartphones to be distributed to the school houses. Content writers and partners in creating quality content for the app. The life and technical skills will be mainly produced in Bahasa Melayu.

Quality literacy and numeracy materials for a separate literacy and numeracy course.

With all this accomplished, I am very hopeful that this project will mark the beginning of a more scalable, sustainable, and impactful program. It has the potential to transform the lives of the people in Sabah and

ultimately turn Sabah upside down for Jesus!

Reported by:

Pam Dingal

Sabah Ministry Coordinator