Caring for pre-school children in Ethiopia
Zemero Early Childhood Development Centre is found in Zemero town, almost 300 km north of Addis Ababa. It was built in 2010. The centre is currently benefitting more than 80 girls and boys and their families. Five-year-old, Kaliye, is one of the beneficiaries of the centre. She joined this year.
“I am happy to come here because I play different games with my friends,” says Kaliye. “I play merry go round and hide and seek…I enjoy listening fun stories about a ‘rat and cat’, ‘the boastful rabbit’ and ‘wise tortoise’ when read by our teacher.”
Four-year-old, Berhan, is learning the Amharic (one of the most widely spoken languages in Ethiopia) and English alphabets. “I also play with dolls in the classroom,” says Berhan.
“I am happy to come here because I play different games with my friends,” says Kaliye.
Early child development centres are important because they equip children ages three to six years with basic learning skills, and also protect children from various risks. At the centre, children are taught the Amharic and English alphabets using picture and number games. They are read stories to enhance their listening and reading comprehension skills.
“When we ask [the children] evaluative questions they answer every detail of what they learned,” says Demoz Kebede, an early child teacher at the centre. “The children capture quickly and easily what they see and do. Their performance is beyond our imagination and expectation.”
Kaliye holds her favourite storybook outside of her pre-school. (Photo credit: Kebede Gizachew / World Vision)
Mothers of the children are happy witnessing the changes in the lives of their children. “My child is a beginner and she is doing well,” says Kaliye’s mother, Sinidu. “She identifies some Amharic and English [letters]. She tells me what she played and learned in a funny way. When she is at the center, I feel comfortable because she is in a safe place.” It also helps Sinidu at home: she can focus on her housework while Kaliye is busy learning.
“I feel we laid foundation for the next formal class [primary school],” says Demoz.
Mothers are grateful to World Vision for constructing a learning centre for their children. “My child and others are lucky that they are enjoying a new privilege which we didn’t have in our days,” says Sinidu. “I thank World Vision for constructing the centre for our children and the teachers for caring for our children.”
“I feel we laid foundation for the next formal class [primary school],” says Demoz.