From orphan village to nursery school
In 2017 the sisters started a kindergarten on the site of the former orphan village. Nowadays, there are about 150 children active every day. It is wonderful that the houses of the orphan village are now populated with children again.
… to primary school
Soon after the start of the nursery school, the questions raises to start a primary school, which meant that the children could continue staying at school with the sisters. Plans were developed, a fundraising campaign was started, land was purchased and … there was construction! In January 2020, the children could move on from nursery school to first class and February 8th, the school was officially opened!
The challenge
They consider good education based on biblical principles as the main focus of their mission. They want to give children the opportunity to develop and receive personal attention, which is usually very difficult in the state schools due to the large number of children per class.
Certainly is that the school meets the need, because many parents want to have their children with the sisters at school!
Response
Well-trained teachers have been recruited and several deaconesses are working as class assistants. Sister Emerthe, the director, would love to welcome Dutch youngsters for an internship!
In the new classrooms the primary school currently has, it is good teaching! There is however a need for a dining room with kitchen, a library and a multifunctional room, where joint activities and meetings can take place.
Project manager
Sister Emerthe Kankundiye
Duration
Long-term
At the end of March, the children received their first ‘report’ in the presence of their parents. It was a big party, in which the parents were amazed at what the children had already learned in such a short time. They even sang English and French songs.