Every year the Meheba Preschools directly benefit 300 children ages 3-5 enrolled in the preschools. Indirectly, the preschools lift the burden of childcare from the children’s family and caretakers for much of the day, and bring regular activity to what has been a severely resource-poor community. 8263 2 false In Meheba, children aged 5 and younger comprise a significant proportion of the total population. Without preschool, these children would have no opportunities for formal learning before entering primary school. The Meheba Preschools are located in isolated communities with an especially high density of preschool-aged children. Without these schools, none of the children would have access to preschool education. Many of the children have been orphaned by AIDS or left behind by parents pursuing opportunities elsewhere, and they would otherwise enter primary school at a disadvantage to the children who receive informal education in their early years. 2007-12-03T11:49:06-06:00 FORGE's Meheba Preschools consist of two preschools in the Meheba Refugee Settlement that serve children ages six and younger. Both preschools provide basic education in literacy and arithmetic, as well as lessons in song, dance, and crafts. The name “Kunachi” was chosen by the Kunachi Parent Teacher Association because it means “illumination” and “growth.” The Dufatanye Preschool serves children specifically from the Rwandan community in Meheba, and is named after the Rwandan word for “togetherness.” To get parents involved in sustaining the school, FORGE devised an innovative goat-lending project, through which all Dufatanye families are required to raise one goat at a time to be sold for a profit at nearby markets. All profits from the goat-lending project go directly to supporting the Dufatanye Preschool. To provide preschool education to children ages 3-5 living in the Meheba Refugee Settlement. 2 • Conducting daily exercises in basic literacy and arithmetic • Leading lessons that develop play skills, communication, and teamwork tools • Providing activities involving music, dance, and crafts in a safe and secure environment • Hosting monthly Parent-Teacher Association meetings to involve families as volunteers and solicit feedback on student progress • Helping to sustain school through innovative goat lending project #<Location:0xb807a2c> 1 • To prepare the 300 children enrolled for primary education • To ensure at least 90% of the preschool graduates matriculate at local Basic Schools • To eliminate the burden of childcare up to 5 hours a day for adults and caretakers • To provide healthy creative outlets for youth through arts and crafts Although they come from many different countries and represent many different ethnic groups, the common experience of war seems to have united the refugees of Meheba in the belief that educating their children is the key to a better future. Educational research reinforces this belief, proving that children who build a solid educational foundation early in life are more likely to succeed in subsequent years of school. Building upon this commitment to education, FORGE has established two community preschools in Meheba: Kunachi (the Swahili word for 'illumination') and Dufatanye (the Rwandan word for 'togetherness'). Together, the refugee-staffed Meheba Preschools serve over 300 students, who gather daily to sing educational songs, learn basic reading, writing, and math skills, and practice critical life skills like personal responsibility, sharing, and working collaboratively in a group. In a community that otherwise lacks books and basic educational materials, these preschools offer the only structured educational stimulus that most children under six ever receive. MEH11 false Providing early childhood education one year 2010-03-10T11:18:30-06:00