‘Abraham’s Tent’: A place that provides free education
The building that houses the classrooms
The building that houses the classrooms

By Michel Outridge

AT the first glance of the signboard affixed to the front fence, one would initially think it is a tent-rental business, but a closer look revealed it is actually a safe learning environment for children in need; that learning is being provided there free of cost.

‘Abraham’s Tent’ was conceptualised in accordance with the dream of 12 siblings, 11 of whom migrated to the United States of America (USA), as a way of giving back to the community.

Ibrahim Armaan, the lone sibling who resides here, at #74 Village (Stockholm) on the Lower Corentyne, Berbice, is the administrator responsible for the smooth operation of the learning facility.

Ibrahim Armaan

He is overseeing the construction of two private schools and a caretaker’s quarters on a 12-acre plot of land which was bought by the 12 siblings to promote education in their home village.

The construction of the two schools was put on hold to allow the relevant paperwork to be processed, and for the permit to be granted through Central Government, but in the meantime, the caretaker’s quarters is being built.

Armaan told the Sunday Chronicle that once the schools are completed, they will employ qualified teachers and other staffers, as non-traditional techniques will be introduced for learning, including karate and dancing among other activities to keep the children engaged.

The schools will enroll Grades One, Two and Three pupils from vulnerable homes to prepare them for secondary school, with all modern facilities in place such as laboratory and an agricultural plot where they can grow their own food among other things.

This will be done free of cost, and the children will be chosen from vulnerable homes. Armaan said that primary school children were already benefitting from free after-school lessons since 2010, but due to COVID-19, it had to be suspended until further notice.

“You give a man a plate of food, he will be good for a day, but when you teach a man to plant, he will be good for life,” Armaan said.

These classes were taught at his home, where there is a separate building at the back of his yard with classroom facilities, while a reading remedial programme was held in an open space that adjoins his property.

“We taught all the subjects in school for Grades Four and Five, where two classes were held,” he said. The school utilises trained teachers who are attached to the public schools.

Armaan explained that the Grade Four pupils are being prepared for their entry to Grade Five, and the remedial reading programme aids slow learners to become literate, and enhance their reading skills.

‘Abraham’s Tent’ is also sponsoring four students to attend the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus for their four-year degree education this year, and will sponsor two more next year.

The school will also be sponsoring four students to attend the Berbice Technical Institute, having successfully sponsored six last year to do the one-year programme.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The land on which the two private schools are to be constructed (Photos by Elvin Croker)

According to Armaan, ‘Abraham’s Tent’ was named after one of his brothers, who is Jewish, and what it basically means is a place where children are welcome to learn.
That sibling is one of the founding members, and it is he who donated the bulk of the money for the construction of the two schools.

Armaan disclosed that the cost to construct and furnish the schools is approximately US$500,000, while the operation will cost an additional US$1M.

He noted that once the schools are completed, ‘Abraham’s Tent’ will be registered as a Friendly Society. Armaan said that he was born and raised in a village where his great grandfather, whom he never met, was among the first settlers.

He and his family come from a humble background. “My greatgrandfather was a man of means, and he owned almost half of the village; the land, that is. He even donated the plot for the burial ground, and was the first to die and was buried there,” Armaan recalled.

Armaan said his father was a cane-cutter, and though his mother was a housewife, she managed to persuade her husband that education was the key to their children’s success and future.

Thus, his mother ensured that her 12 children went to school and benefitted from a tertiary education. Today, 11 of them reside in the USA, and they are all accomplished, career-wise. Armaan is the youngest of the lot; altogether, they are seven sisters and five brothers.

“We were not rich, but our parents worked hard, and whatever little they provided, we were satisfied. And we are thankful they afforded us the opportunity of going to school, and to even higher learning, which made us into qualified individuals,” Armaan said.

Others who also contributed to the construction of the schools include his niece, Dr. Padmini Sharma, a cancer specialist, and her husband, Dr. James Allison, who is a Nobel Laureate.

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