Pre-schools

VillageSteps has started two preschools, one in Zambia and one in Tanzania. About one-hundred children benefit from free early learning opportunities.

Especially for girls, this establishes an early commitment to their education.

Even one extra year of education has proven to improve the lives of girl children and their future families. We hope that an early start will lead to many new opportunities for these children.

From one of the pre-school teachers: “One thing that I have liked is that, children came empty headed and today are able to hold the pencils, they can try to communicate in English. They are able to say please teacher may I go outside. You know children sometimes refuse to go to their homes. When you ask them why are they refusing to go home? The answer they will tell you is that "there is no food at home while here we eat something all the time".”

So many provident events took place on this 2011 trip. We were able to give out books to students in the Zambia preschool and take their photos. The books are hand bound and titled “Who Am I?” with an exercise to help the students think about their future, their beliefs, and how they can work to attain their goals. Members at Calvary Presbyterian Church helped prepare the books.

The pre-schoolers in Tanzania have pretty red uniforms. They are eager to learn and many have learned to read. They sang us praises about America in Swahili. The self-sustaining project is well underway with the chicken house complete and awaiting funds to purchase the initial chickens.

Teachers at both preschools are very dedicated to helping the children and to making them feel loved.