Over Spring Break, Cait Reid, faculty member in the Division of Human Services, traveled to Uganda to provide professional training, build ministry partnerships and explore future study abroad opportunities for BJU students. The trip focused on equipping educators and social workers with practical, culturally responsive tools that promote long‑term growth, dignity, and empowerment.
During the trip, Reid spoke with K-12 school teachers at Acacia International School, an ACSI‑affiliated school serving students from a wide range of backgrounds. The professional development session, Teaching Highly Active and Easily Distracted Students, equipped teachers with practical classroom strategies for supporting students who struggle with attention, impulse control and energy regulation. Rather than focusing on diagnosis or lowered academic expectations, the training emphasized skill‑building approaches—such as purposeful movement, clear instruction, pre‑correction and relationship‑centered discipline—that reduce classroom stress while promoting student growth. Reid also shared information about Bob Jones University, connecting with educators who expressed interest in learning more about U.S. higher education and Christian teacher preparation.
Reid also provided a half‑day training for social workers at Benjamin House, a Christian ministry that serves vulnerable children and families through holistic, community‑based care. This marked her second time offering professional training to Benjamin House staff, strengthening an ongoing relationship with the organization. The training, From Helping to Empowering, focused on shifting social work practice from short‑term help to long‑term empowerment. Topics included dignity‑preserving communication, strength‑focused family visits, small‑step goal setting and responding to resistance with professionalism and grace. The sessions were highly interactive and directly connected to the daily realities faced by local social workers.
In addition to training, Reid met with organizational leaders to discuss future collaboration. Conversations with Joakim Matende, the executive director of Benjamin House, and with Allison Hopper, founder and executive director of Kairos International, explored the possibility of partnering with these ministries during a future BJU Study Abroad experience. Kairos International is a Christ-centered organization focused on restoring dignity and opportunity to vulnerable populations through sustainable, community-led development initiatives.
These partnerships would allow students to engage in supervised, academically grounded field experiences while learning from trusted local organizations that prioritize sustainable, Christ‑centered service. This spring break trip reflects the Division of Human Services’ commitment to applied scholarship, global engagement and preparing students to serve with both competence and compassion across cultures.
