Parents in Joconal want a Preschool so badly for their children that they are building classrooms for this program. This project will provide early childhood education to 16 children in the coffee village of Joconal.
School in Joconal does not start until 1st grade, and children cannot begin until they are 7 years old. The 1st grade teacher in Joconal is responsible for teaching the children everything they should have learned in Preschool and Kindergarten. Without access to learning resources before school, they often fall behind in school. Many of the students starting 1st grade dropout of school by 6th grade.
We provide access to a certified Preschool education program and work with the community to sustain the program long-term. Our program will help children ages 4 thru 6 prepare for 1st grade. Many of the parents have wanted this opportunity for their children for years, so they have offered to build us a classroom!
We will educate 16 students in our first year, helping them to gain a love for learning. Children in Preschool programs are more likely to graduate high school, earn higher salaries, give back to society, and are less likely to get in trouble with the law. Long-term, we want to empower these children through education to overcome the cycle of poverty.
