Naomi Thought It Was Just a Workshop

Naomi Thought It Was Just a Workshop

From the moment Naomi Borges helped her niece with homework at just seven years old, a spark was lit. That spark grew into a calling. Today, Naomi is a school principal and teacher at Ebenezer Christian School which is part of EduDeo’s partner network: The Nehemiah Center in Nicaragua. 

When Naomi joined Ebenezer in March 2020 as a first-grade teacher, her passion for learning and teaching was immediately evident. Within a year, she was entrusted with the responsibility of teaching both first and second grades. And her journey into Christ-centred education was deepened further through a Walking Together training.   

Walking Together is a cornerstone initiative of EduDeo that equips educators around the world to lead Christ-centred learning in their communities.  These workshops are facilitated by both international and local learning leaders.  Learning leaders are qualified educators who lead sessions in our partner countries.   

Walking Together: A Path of Growth 

Naomi’s first experience during these training sessions left a lasting impression. “I found a space for growth that not only expanded my knowledge but also transformed my way of looking at life and education,” she reflects. These workshops, designed to equip educators with both pedagogical tools and Biblical foundations, became a wellspring of inspiration for Naomi. 

Through shared activities, conversations with fellow educators, and hands-on learning, Naomi began to see her role not just as a teacher, but as a leader and disciple-maker. One activity in particular, a craft involving handprints, stood out. She shared it with a colleague who teaches in government schools. At first, she thought he wasn’t paying attention. But later, she discovered he had used the activity with his own students. “Knowing this filled me with joy,” Naomi says. “It showed me that what I learn doesn’t stop with me—it multiplies.” 

A Heart Transformed 

The impact of the training went beyond the classroom. Naomi began to notice changes in herself. “I used to be impatient, wanting everything to be perfect,” she admits. “But now, I appreciate each person’s differences and qualities more.” She’s learned to delegate, to encourage, and to lead with grace - qualities that have strengthened her relationships with both colleagues and students. 

One of her most powerful moments came while teaching a group of adult learners. Inspired by a recent training, she incorporated both academic content and Biblical values into her lessons. “It was a unique sense of satisfaction,” she says. “I wasn’t just teaching facts - I was sharing truth that touched hearts.” 

Gratitude and Vision 

Naomi’s heart overflows with gratitude for those who make the Walking Together program possible. “For me, [learning leaders] are instruments of God who bring teaching, encouragement, and love,” she says. “What I receive with open hands, I must also give with open hands.” 

Her story is a powerful reminder of why EduDeo exists: to support schools in creating Christ-centred learning environments where students, and educators, can flourish.