4 minute read
Breaking poverty cycles with Early Childhood Development
In the heart of an informal settlement in Namibia, amid endless rows of corrugated iron shacks, hope shines through. It is the Ndeshy Pre-school, a haven enclosed by a simple wire fence, where the air carries the smell of dust and echoes with resilience. There is no grand gate. Upon entering this unassuming abode the curious faces of little learners peep through a protective net, welcoming you with excitement and shyness.
Extraordinary stories unfold in this ordinary classroom. Meet Ndseshaadha Aina Petrus, fondly known as Me Ndeshy, a determined force at the helm of this pre-school and daycare. She embarked on this journey in 2016, driven by a deep desire to rescue children from the harsh realities of life on the streets. Her inspiration? A moving memory of a hungry fiveyear-old child digging for food in a dustbin. It ignited a fire in her. "On that day”, she recalls, "I said to myself, you need to do something".
Poverty and food insecurity cast a shadow over Namibia. Informal settlements present daunting challenges for young children. Inadequate housing, sanitation and security cause parents to work long hours, leaving their children to spend most of their time in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. Informal settlements deal with issues of violence and alcohol abuse, with shebeens (unlicenced bars) dangerously close to ECD centres.
"The children come from difficult situations. Most of them don't bring food, only empty lunch boxes. I buy bread and discreetly put it in their lunch boxes so they won't feel left out during lunchtime among the other kids”, Me Ndeshy says.
ECD in Namibia faces two main issues: access and quality. A study by DNA Economics reveals that only 20% of Namibian children under the age of 6 have access to ECD centres, and that only 63% of educators are qualified. Miss Ndeshy had no formal training when she established the pre-school. However, she was aware of the paramount importance of brain development from birth to age six. To provide the best foundational education for her little learners, she enrolled in the educarer training program run by Development Workshop Namibia (DWN).
DWN offers free training for ECD centre teachers as well as parental workshops, educating parents on the importance of psychosocial stimulation to prevent stunted growth. DWN's training covers various topics, including child development, holistic development, learning through play and classroom management.
One significant challenge for Miss Ndeshy was the lack of restroom facilities. She often had to accompany groups of ten children to a communal toilet several minutes away. These communal toilets raised safety concerns due to their state of filthiness. Miss Ndeshy and the children's parents are immensely grateful to DWN for building a toilet facility equipped with a hand basin. To date, DWN has set up 31 sanitation facilities at various ECD centres across Namibia.
DWN further supports ECD centres by providing learning materials like worksheets, storybooks and stationery. Over the past 30 years, extensive research has highlighted the critical importance of the period from birth to eight years for human development. During those years the foundation for cognitive skills, emotional well-being, social competence and physical and mental health is laid. Investing in quality early childhood education significantly affects a child's educational trajectory. Children without access to quality ECD are more likely to struggle academically and face higher dropout rates, leading to social issues like crime, poverty, unemployment and substance abuse.
Children who receive high-quality ECD, on the other hand, do better in school, are more likely to graduate, have higher lifetime earnings, have healthier relationships and contribute positively to society. This investment is especially important in informal settlements, where a good start may change lives in a single generation.
The phrase it takes a village to raise a child rings true. It emphasises the collective responsibility to provide children with the best start in life. Parents and the extended family offer nutrition, love, care and play, while society ensures children's safety, happiness and health, with adequate support for parents.
In Namibia a common misconception revolves around the belief that Early Childhood Development is exclusively confined to ECD centres and pre-schools. It is important to clarify that ECD extends beyond these institutions and also takes place within the home environment. Simultaneously, it is essential to acknowledge that ECD centres and pre-schools play a critical role in fostering optimal brain development by seamlessly blending learning and play.
DWN and its partners are committed to being part of this village, contributing to the transformation of the nation and improved governance through investing in early childhood education.
So, as the sun sets on Ndeshy Pre-school, it illuminates the hope that each child's dawn will be brighter, filled with the promise of a future that knows no bounds.
