In the year 2014 the Partners Polska foundation is implementing, in cooperation with the Kenyan NGO Education Effect Africa, the “Kindergarten with Class (Przedszkolak z klasą) - increasing access to high quality preschool education and care in Kenya’s Mbita district semi-arid rural areas” project. The main goal of this undertaking is to provide children living in the country’s most marginalized regions with access to high quality preschool education that will be tailored to their school environment needs, their age and will promote their physical, emotional and psychosocial development, as well as holistic care from teachers, guardians and parents. This will greatly increase their chances of reaching their full potential in adult life – health, better education, higher incomes and fruitful social relationships.

The project includes the following actions:

• Providing a safe education environment that will be conducive to the health and comprehensive development of toddlers. We will erect four kindergarten buildings, pre-adapted to the children’s age and specific needs, fully equipped with toys and teaching materials.
• Equipping preschool and early primary school teachers with skills in the field of preschool education and holistic care over children aged 0-8. Expert-led training, as well as regular consultation sessions and coaching will contribute to a permanent change in teaching methods in the institutions involved in the project.
• Changing the behaviors and attitudes of both teachers and members of the Kasgunga community towards the issues of the development, rights and needs of young children.
• Initiating the creation of an alliance between local government and schools for the improvement of access to quality education and preschool childcare.

The “Kindergarten with class” project is co-financed by the Polish development cooperation program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the year 2014.