Blog Tanzania

A Renewed Opportunity

29.03.2016

Dzinyeto, Kunduchi's local director and teacher, works hard with the children to learn basic math skills. Dzinyeto, Kunduchi’s local director and teacher, works hard with the children to teach them basic math skills.

The Kunduchi Nursery School 

Back in 2015, help2kids was forced to close down a large nursery program in northern Kunduchi due to political restraints. The nursery school closed its doors, but the villagers, previous volunteers, and staff members never forgot about the potential and help Kunduchi had offered, even if it had only been for a short while. help2kids continued to receive many inquiries from both volunteers and locals, asking if there would ever be another chance to reopen the project. Despite the odds and with the dedicated help of many, the nursery school project has finally been given another opportunity to help the Kunduchi community.

Kunduchi is a small fishing village north of Dar es Salaam’s City Center. Despite the villages’ amazing natural views of the beach and sea, many of the residents struggle daily to provide their families with food, education, and healthcare. Most villagers are undereducated, not able to read or write. Many of the women either remain inside their households or work as small duka (shop) owners, while the men spend long days out on the water as fishermen. Their children often help, cleaning and maintaining homes with their mothers, or assisting in the fishery business. Unfortunately, much of this family cooperation comes at the cost of a proper education, further maintaining the cycle of poverty Kunduchi faces.

Indian Ocean views from the Kunduchi village Indian Ocean views from the Kunduchi village

help2kids began to tackle these issues with a free and local nursery school in the heart of the Kunduchi community. Children, aged 3-6, were taught basic English, Kiswahili, and Math skills with the help of the nursery’s director and local Kunduchi resident, Dzinyeto. Volunteers pitched in to assist in teaching. The English Corner was especially popular, with local fisherman stopping by after working in the ocean to learn some basic English skills. Unfortunately, the project was short-lived, as the political scene in Tanzania at the time stopped the project suddenly. The establishment was taken over by political forms who found the building appealing for promoting their own needs. Soon afterwards, villagers, volunteers, and children were forced to stop attending.

Moses, our local volunteer, aids a student in her handwriting Moses, our local volunteer, aids a student with her handwriting

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Students get ample play time in-between classes Students get ample play time in-between classes

help2kids continued to work with Dzinyeto and many others, who fought to reclaim the project’s site. After many months these efforts were successful and those who had witnessed the project’s end were ready and excited to see its reopening!

Nearly fifty students enjoy the nursery's meal daily Nearly fifty students enjoy the nursery’s meal daily

However during the months of our departure, the nursery was left unattended, empty, and prone to harsh weather conditions. The dilapidated image of the once well attained building did not damper the feelings of any involved. Filipe, the help2kids Children’s Home and Nursery Coordinator, Dzinyeto, and volunteers Nicole, Nanette, and Kim were not easily discourage, more than willing to get their hands dirty to make a difference.

Kunduchi5 Just adding the last finishing touches on the nursery’s wall

After months of hard work, the Kunduchi nursery school officially reopened this March. The beginning of the month saw fifteen children attending, but that quickly grew to nearly fifty students daily. Dzinyeto and Filipe have had their hands full with the ever increasing number of children attending, but they’ve had great help from both local volunteer, Moses, and two of our international volunteers, Nicole and Florella.

IMG_1436 Hand-made wooden desks for the children are more durable then those store bought

help2kids continued to work with Dzinyeto and many others, who fought to reclaim the project’s site. After many months, these efforts were successful and those who had witnessed the project’s end were ready and excited to see its reopening! However during the months of our departure, the nursery was left unattended, empty, and prone to harsh weather conditions. The dilapidated image of the once well attained building did not damper the feelings of any involved. Filipe, the help2kids Children’s Home and Nursery Coordinator, Dzinyeto, and volunteers Nicole, Nanette, and Kim were not easily discourage, more than willing to get their hands dirty to make a difference.

IMG_1758 Filipe and Kunduchi’s local mama arrange the daily porridge

After months of hard work, the Kunduchi nursery school officially reopened this March. The beginning of the month saw fifteen children attending, but that quickly grew to nearly fifty students. Dzinyeto and Filipe have had their hands full with the ever increasing number of children attending, but they’ve had great help from both local volunteer, Moses, and two of our international volunteers, Nicole and Florella.

Washing and sanitation guidelines are taught and kept at the nursery Washing and sanitation guidelines are taught and kept at the nursery

The Kunduchi nursery’s goal now is to focus on a sustainable and well-structured curriculum for the children and adults who take the time to invest in their education. The children will receive a daily meal, as well as health care through our Health Project. The nursery school is a small step in the direction of providing the resource-constrained community access to education and individual development. So far both locals and volunteers, especially Filipe and Dzinyeto, have been passionately dedicated to that cause.

Mathematics, English, and Kiswahili are the focus of studies Mathematics, English, and Kiswahili are the focus of studies

help2kids wants to thank all who were involved, from volunteers to local community members, on their dedication to Kunduchi’s development. This is the start of a long, but certainly worthy journey and we welcome all to our newest project!

 

Studying hard under the direction of Filipe and volunteers Studying hard under the direction of Filipe and volunteers

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Kunduchi's current nursery team Tupo pamoja (We are together)

 

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