Innovative writer and teacher James Ryan Orr has written a classic true story as exciting and world-moving as the movies of his fictional namesake James Bond. James’ Pencil Project deserves a place of honor as essential reading in schools - and all teacher training institutions - particularly in the West and in Africa. Pencil Project projects the destiny-changing classroom magic of two emotionally intelligent conjurers or better known as teachers. This is a novelty in these days where IQ is overrated, and EQ relegated to the Cinderella of the Education system.

With the American teacher Kent, James demonstrates the incredible power of heart-fully combining resourceful teaching with learning resource tools.

With the village teacher Etoundi, the Pencil Project brings alive the life-changing impact of resourceful teaching, even when learning resources are limited.

James found a universal need – the need to stir world-changing potential in the hearts of today’s children, or tomorrow’s leaders. Through the eyes of ordinary children we all identify with, he turns the classroom from a bored-room that must be endured (to qualify as a star pupil), to that of a magic theatre to be enjoyed. Beyond edutainment, to self-discovery and building of life skills. This is largely missed or locked out of today’s head-focused, rote-based and routine classroom system. Or in short, Pencil Project demonstrates the superior results of (and urgent need for) emotional intelligence in an IQ dominated, but EQ-illiterate education environment.

The Pencil Project is what James has done about this great global need.

Now as you read and tell others about it, one inspired reader at a time, whammo, the world is changing.

Mine has. I am already discussing an idea stirred by this book, that will help Develop Africa’s Sylvester Renner replicate the Pencil Project and mobilize even more educational resources to girls particularly like Nadege, who are most in need – and can bring the most change, in a magical, karma-like way. Making the givers in the end, actually ending up receiving immeasurably more than they gave, like teacher Kent did. So yes, read and let’s Be the change…!!!

By Bowenson P