Ngoni is 5 yrs old. Both her parents have died and she lives with her 65 year old grannie Alethea who is caring for three other young grandchildren. Alethea can't read or write and struggles to make ends meet by selling tomatoes at the market. She wants Ngoni to have a better chance but can't afford to send her to the expensive government pre-school. Under Zimbabwean law, unless children attend pre-school they are excluded from primary school, potentially condemning them to a life of illiteracy. Last year Ngoni was selected to attend the free new church pre-school set up through HOPEHIV funds. She's now learning to read and write as well as getting vitally important nutritional meals. Even though she's only 5, her dream is that one day, she will get a good job and can look after her grannie.
This pre-school project was set up by HOPEHIV partner, Oasis Trust in 2003. It trains, equips and supports diverse local churches to run small pre-schools for 4-6 year olds in deprived communities around Harare. Evidence shows that children from poor areas are 60% less likely to drop out of mainstream education if they have had pre-school education. Children who are orphaned or living with very sick parents are prioritised for this program. Community volunteers are trained as teachers as well as providing counselling, life-skills education and psycho-social support. The 13 pre-schools run every morning. In the afternoon, teachers visit the children in their homes, offering practical support to the family. Graduates from this program go straight to the top of their primary class.
HOPEHIV want to continue to support Oasis to set up more pre-schools for orphans. Just 100 from you will train another teacher. DONATE NOW.