Kindergarden
Play – Learn – Grow
Respecting children’s rights:
The nursery at St. Monica Village has been running for over 10 years. Nearly 70 children attend the Giraffe and Zebra classes. Pamela and Roseline, two widows from the cooperative, teach the children every day between 8 am and 3 pm.
The widows’ nursery offers an alternative to state-run facilities: flexible payment options, a respectful approach to the children, breakfast, excursions, as well as free teaching materials and toys make it a special place.
Nursery Overview:
- Around 70 children in 2 classes
- Daily breakfast for all children
- Flexible payment options (including payment in kind)
- Free learning materials and play resources
- Education regardless of financial circumstances
Project objectives:
- To promote education
- To respect children’s rights
- To provide breakfast for children
- To create jobs for women
- To lay the foundations for a successful school career
Project description
10 a.m. at St. Monica Village
The children in the Giraffe and Zebra classes are given breakfast – a nutritious, warm porridge that gives them the energy they need to learn and play.
The monthly fee is 500 KSH per child (around 3,70 Euro) – slightly more than the 300 KSH charged by state-run facilities. This covers meals, learning materials, toys and excursions.
Payment options are flexible for parents:
Those who have no money can pay with maize, beans or firewood. This form of support is not available in state-run facilities.
Access to education for all
Anyone who wishes to do so can enrol their child in the cooperative’s nursery.
Upon completion, the children receive a certificate that enables them to enter primary school. By this stage, many are already able to read and write.
A place of community
The nursery is housed in its own building on the grounds of the Widows’ Cooperative.
Many children come on foot or by motorbike taxi. Pamela and Roseline, the two nursery teachers, are members of the cooperative themselves. Their salaries – as well as those of the cooks – are funded by parents’ contributions.
The building belongs to the cooperative, so there are no rental costs. Apart from breakfast, the nursery is self-sufficient.
Why breakfast is so important
A nutritious breakfast is funded by Dentists for Africa and provides the children with an important start to the day.
Without this support, many children used to arrive at the nursery on an empty stomach – often because there was no money at home. It’s hard to learn, play – and grow – on an empty stomach.
