Education South Africa Project #36214

Helping Rural Xhosa children become literate!

by Ncinci One's Montessori

Helping Rural Xhosa children become literate!

Summary

We provide quality Montessori early childhood education to 30 young, rural Xhosa children in a safe and stimulating early learning environment, in one of the poorest regions of South Africa. The children receive 2 nutritious meals and a calcium/Vitamin C supplement daily. Our children are building solid educational foundations in all learning areas and this is setting the tone for successful later learning.

$40,000
total goal

$7,891
remaining

113
donors

9
monthly donors

4
years

Challenge

84% of Grade 4 children in the Eastern Cape, South Africa cannot read for meaning - PIRLS 2016. Sadly, only 32% of children in our area finish high school! Children need to build solid literacy and numeracy skills, while they are still in their foundation years, as these skills are essential for any further learning to take place. Children need to become literate in their mother tongue! Reading ultimately leads to having a more dignified, empowered and independent life. A right for all!

Solution

We are the only dedicated preschool in the area and all the Montessori materials in our environment are developmental. Our young, rural children spend three years with us and are able to build solid educational foundations in all learning areas. These foundations and skills assist them with all later learning, leading to educational success! We are using Montessori early childhood development to try and break the intergenerational transmission of poverty!

Long-Term Impact

The children attending the program build educational foundations that are necessary for educational success! They will become fully literate in their mother tongue and reading for pleasure will be introduced to them - this is a gift for life! The programs will strengthen these children's literacy and numeracy skills, giving them the necessary foundation and confidence needed for further learning. The children also take home the skills they learn and share them with their family members.