Happy Kids Kindergarten

Nurturing bright futures in Goreangab's informal settlement

In the heart of the Goreangab informal settlement in the Greater Windhoek area, a beacon of hope shines brightly. This beacon is known as Happy Kids Kindergarten, a haven for young minds thriving in a challenging environment. As I pushed open the creaking black gate and stepped inside, I was greeted by a heartwarming sight – little children, arranged in semi-circles in the yard, each group representing their respective classes. Excited voices filled the air as one group chanted, "Let's make a train, a beautiful train!" Educarer Paulina Antonio led her class, her eyes reflecting the dedication she has for these young learners.

During the early years in a child’s life, the parenting and care they receive are pivotal for their holistic development, setting the stage for the rest of their lives. The human brain develops more rapidly from the ages of 0 - 5 than at any other time in life, and parents or primary caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers. Parents play a vital role in shaping their child’s physical, cognitive, emotional and social growth.

Sadly, many Namibian parents are under enormous strain and unable to provide the care and support their children need. Rapid urbanisation has led to the loss of community and extended family support, and parents are inundated with conflicting messages about parenting practices that often do not relate to their unique circumstances. Poverty, inequality, long workdays, inadequate childcare and a lack of meaningful support are among the many stressors that Namibian parents face. Furthermore, Namibia grapples with epidemic levels of violence across all sectors of society, including households, schools and communities, often resulting in harsh, cruel or neglectful parenting techniques.

In response to these pressing challenges, Development Workshop has heightened its focus on parenting with the Play for All Early Childhood Development (ECD) program. They collaborate with community leaders, parents and ECD teachers to actively promote and support nurturing care and responsive caregiving, with the ultimate goal of creating secure and affectionate environments for children.

Happy Kids Kindergarten is more than just a daycare centre: it is a lifeline for the children and their families in this underserved community.

Happy Kids Kindergarten is more than just a daycare centre: it is a lifeline for the children and their families in this underserved community. In Namibia, most Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres are privately owned and often unregistered. The resulting lack of oversight can affect the quality of education provided to the children, as many educarers lack formal training. Paulina Antonio, however, stands as a shining example of what trained educarers can achieve. "Being a trained educarer means I can better help my learners and ensure that I provide them with a quality early education," she says. Paulina is one of over 800 participants who were trained by Development Workshop Namibia since the inception of the educarer training program.

As I observed the bustling activity at the kindergarten, it became evident that the challenges faced here are not just about education. Like countless structures in informal settlements across the country, Happy Kids Kindergarten is constructed from corrugated iron due to the stark reality of a lack of tenure rights. "We are not allowed to build permanent brick structures because one day the local authorities might have to move us," explains Lufina Kamoso, the owner of Happy Kids Kindergarten. Physical structures remain a distant dream in these difficult living conditions.

Basic amenities such as electricity and running water are a luxury in the Goreangab settlement, and the kindergarten is no exception. While they are fortunate to have access to water, it is far from a seamless service. Educarers are forced to leave the premises during school hours to fetch water for washing hands and cleaning the toilets. The struggle for essentials is a common theme in informal settlements, where families face daily challenges that many of us cannot imagine.

However, amidst these challenges, a ray of hope shines through Development Workshop Namibia's Play for All ECD program. This initiative supports ECD centres in informal settlements to improve the quality of early learning and care, which benefits the children as well as the teachers. The program encompasses free training for educarers, the development and distribution of Namibian teaching and learning materials, improvements to the centres through the construction of better classrooms, providing toilets, shade and play areas, and offering assistance and information to parents on how to stimulate child development while also looking after their own well-being.

The program has already made a significant impact since its inception in late 2019: currently it supports 282 ECD centres across five of Namibia’s administrative regions. It has reached 10,092 children, offering them a brighter start in life, and has trained over 680 teachers.

Happy Kids Kindergarten, though humble in its structure, stands tall as a symbol of resilience and unwavering commitment to the children of Goreangab. As the little ones gather in semi-circles, chanting and laughing, they are not just forming trains but forging their paths towards a brighter future, one step at a time. In the face of adversity, these young learners are nurtured and prepared to overcome obstacles, knowing that education is their ticket to a better tomorrow.

Frieda Kakololo

For more information about the work carried out by Development Workshop Namibia, explore our website: www.dw-namibia.org/ecd.php