Getting a Head Start With Preschool

Pierre Faye - Posted on May 5, 2009

Catholics living in the Tattaguine rural community have set up one of the most successful preschools in the areas. These programs were implemented in 2006 thanks to the support of the Christians of the community. The preschool is run by the community with the support of World Vision .

“No child wants to stay home since we started the preschool,” Marie Esperance Thiaw says. Today, 35 girls and 33 boys have the chance to go to a preschool in Tattaguine.

“Educate, change the behaviour of disobedient kids as well as preparing them for the primary cycle [school classes] are our gaols,” Marie Esperance says.

She shared about the case of a turbulent girl [who was] refusing to obey her mom. “She has been radically changed since she started attending to the preschool,” says Marie. The curriculum developed here focuses on child transformation. After one month, that girl in the preschool has been readjusted to the way a child should behave. Now, she listens to and obeys her mom.

The course starts every morning with five minutes prayer. Participation in the prayers is not required as there are children in the preschool from both Christian as well as Muslim families. Despite their distinct beliefs, Christians and Muslims live in perfect harmony here in Tattaguine. It’s so amazing the way those two communities are living peacefully. Their good relationship is praised.

In the morning, after welcoming the kids and the prayer, the teacher starts psychomotor (hand-eye coordination) games and activities. This helps them trough exercises designed to help them be in good shape during the day.

Last year, World Vision supported the preschool with a $1000 grant. Moreover, they provided to the preschool equipment such as chairs, desks, swings and slides. As kids love playing, they are happy now thanks to the support of World Vision to have a safe place to play.

Teachers in the preschool are supervised by the headmaster of the village primary school. This means that, they have an opportunity to benefit from someone who has a lot of teaching experience.

It’s a challenging experience for the Tattaguine community to run a preschool. Running such a preschool requires funds to pay for the teachers and the operation costs. Each parent has to give $3 monthly and pay annual registration fees. Although the parents have willingly expressed their commitment to the preschool, not all of them are always able to pay and the school still needs more support.

“This year, we have made uniforms for the kids. But, there are cases of parents not able to afford a uniform for their kids. We hope that one day they will be able to have uniforms. The crisis has affected the income of many families. Despite the good rainy season we had this year; many parents have difficulties to provide for the school supplies and the fees of their kids,” Margerite NDour says

That’s why the support and the work of World Vision is welcomed in Tattaguine. Since World Vision started working here, the preschool has benefited from many things, such the equipment mentioned above.

The preschool is making a big contribution to shape the character of the kids while opening their eyes to the world. The curriculum, designed by the specialists, has really emphasized the importance that should be put on child’s education which is a priority for World Vision.

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