Stella Mission: supporting families

The number of children enrolled at the “Nido d’ape” (Beehive) kindergarten from March 2015 has increased to 19, and the kids regularly attending the school are now 15, 2 of whom joined the kindergarten right after Easter Holidays thanks to a strengthening of the educational team. Thanks to the daily care of the two children, their mums were able to go to work while they were experiencing new emotions and enjoying the kindergarten’s structure and toys. In fact, one of the two kids who is 15 months old, comes from a very difficult situation as his family lives in a really small flat. As a consequence, he always had to sit in his stroller or lay in his bed, therefore not being able to play or learn to walk. Thanks to the possibility of joining the kindergarten, he learnt to stand upright and began walking just a month after he started attending it.

With regards to the activities of the 2 to 3 years old group, as teacher and volunteers noticed that children had learnt the class routine, they decided to invite them to participate to moments such as setting and clearing the table, tiding up rooms and toys and deciding together which activities to do. Another interesting activity is “Born to Read” initiative, where once every two weeks a volunteer comes from a library to the kindergarten in order to read stories to children in a creative way

The Counseling Center dedicated to the parents and families of the young children is open every Wednesday from 9am to 1pm, with the possibility of booking an appointment at a different time.  There, two educational and supporting figures collaborate with the kindergarten in order to assist parents in need. A special reunion was also organized for the parents of 3-year-old children who will in September attend the 3-6 kindergarten (scuola dell’infanzia), so as to ensure a smooth passage.

Last May, parents were asked to fill an assessment survey and the outcome was no doubts positive. They are grateful for the improvements they could notice in their children with regards to their speaking abilities and the education they are provided with. They are also thankful for the economic support received in paying the fees for the kindergarten. Some of them recognize in this opportunity an important help for their social integration in the country. Moreover, the kindergarten has helped 5 parents to keep their job, 2 to extend their working hours and 1 to find a new job.

On March 25^th we had the pleasure to receive an on-site visit from the Global Giving In-the-Field Representative who summarized her experience as follows:

“Mission Bambini is an excellent foundation that funds innovative projects all over Italy and the world! I got to visit one of their partners in Roma, Cooperativa Sociale L'Accoglienza, which identifies needs in a gap among public social services for children under age of 3 with parent(s) with socio-economic difficulties. They seem to run the Nido very efficiently with great staff members, professional and local volunteers. Their training for parents and focus on sustainability through integrating back to available public services seem excellent! Even though it was a short visit, I grew confident about Mission Bambini and their partners' work.”

Mission Bambini will continue to support the “Nido d’ape” kindergarten during the 2015-16 school year, therefore facilitating the access of children and helping the kindergarten with the purchase of educational supplies.

 A Nursery for Every Child Program on Mission Bambini's Website