Building a Preschool in Rural Swaziland

I am very happy to update you on two significant achievements since my April 13, 2011 report:

1^st - Our project posting Building a Preschool in Rural Swaziland was successful in meeting Global Giving’s Open Challenge criteria, which means this project posting will remain open on Global Givings website until full project funding is secured (for those of you who are competitive, we came in 10th place out of 250 projects, putting us in the 96th Percentile - so compliments to you all for making that happen!).

2^nd - Your donations amounting to $9,245.75 have already been transferred by Global Giving to Vusumnotfo, and a second installment of $291.25 is on its way!

Given that 72% of the project posting has now been donated, we feel confident enough to start the building process.

So what is next?  - Vusumnotfo will now be meeting with the Chief’s Inner Council and the Cetwayo Preschool Committee to confirm this good news and to start the steps in the construction process.

Already the following have been completed:

• Land allocated by the Chief’s Inner Council
• Building design approved by Swaziland Public Works Department
• Community builder identified

We next will be formalizing an agreement with the community builder and start purchasing supplies.

Thanks to Mark Deziel for forwarding information on translucent roofing panels, as a way to improve light into the building design - we will run this idea past the relevant parties for their considerations.

In the meantime, Cetjwayo preschool teacher Nellie Mhlabane continues to attend monthly in-service training sessions at Vusumnotfo.  Activities carried out in these sessions build the skills of the community preschool teachers for greater teaching effectiveness (please refer to photos).

You may be picking up a few stories about Swaziland in the international press, mainly that government is struggling to meet civil service payroll.  Be assured this project will not be affected by as what little renumartion is provided to community preschool teachers comes from school fees paid by the children’s guardians, not from government payroll.

What this situation does highlight is the importance of a human resource development stratgy that starts from the ground up i.e.) community based efforts to strengthen the early childhood years. 

With many thanks for your donation -  it provides both practical and moral support!