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Preschool Building and ResourcingIn Timor Leste only an estimated 5% of children access basic preschool education. In Soibada there is no such facility at all.
The education of children will lead to the transformation of the Soibada community. The establishment of a Preschool in Soibada will provide effective and holistic Early Childhood Development services and preparation for formal schooling. This facility and program would also provide opportunities to access health and nutrition, and parent education and support programs. A central resource centre located in Somoro, the main Suco of Soibada, would ideally have a mobile element to travel regularly to the other Sucos of Soibada. Preschool education would ensure that children of Soibada have a sound basis of literacy and numeracy. Local languages would be used as teaching and learning languages, thereby enabling a smooth transition to mastering the official languages of Timor-Leste. |
In addition to that the preschool would offer:
· parent education programmes and support groups
· increased awareness of maternal child health challenges
· improved community-based nutrition
· increased access to affordable and safe drinking water increasing access to toilets and hygiene education
· a preschool garden of nutritionally balanced crops (Community groups from Soibada have already have training with HIAM Health funded by PFOS) http://www.hiamhealth.org/hiam.html
This project will be managed within the guidelines set by the Timor Leste Minister of Education. The Timorese Government is seeking to ensure that at least half of all Timorese children from three to five years old receive quality pre-school education. A new educational curriculum and a uniform pedagogic guidance program are currently being implemented. Theoretical and practical training programs for pre-school teachers, who will be trained in methodologies that are appropriate to pre-school education, are in development.
· parent education programmes and support groups
· increased awareness of maternal child health challenges
· improved community-based nutrition
· increased access to affordable and safe drinking water increasing access to toilets and hygiene education
· a preschool garden of nutritionally balanced crops (Community groups from Soibada have already have training with HIAM Health funded by PFOS) http://www.hiamhealth.org/hiam.html
This project will be managed within the guidelines set by the Timor Leste Minister of Education. The Timorese Government is seeking to ensure that at least half of all Timorese children from three to five years old receive quality pre-school education. A new educational curriculum and a uniform pedagogic guidance program are currently being implemented. Theoretical and practical training programs for pre-school teachers, who will be trained in methodologies that are appropriate to pre-school education, are in development.
The problem.
In Soibada, as in most of Timor Leste, there are high rates of illiteracy and extreme poverty. Most families have at least seven or eight children. Children under the age of 6 face huge challenges in their right to life, survival and development. High under-5 mortality rates, malnourishment, as well as diseases such as diarrhoea from inadequate safe water, sanitation and hygiene, all impact on children’s start in life. Very few pre-school-age children are growing up in an environment which adequately nurtures them mentally and physically.
The lack of preschool facilities in Soibada disadvantages more than just the 2-5 year olds. Older siblings miss out on their schooling because they are required to stay at home to care for the younger ones. Some school age children take their younger siblings to school where they wait outside the classrooms. Huge numbers of Timorese children are unable to access their right to education and this has a lifelong impact on their ability to raise their full potential. This particularly affects girls.
Objectives and overall outcome.
Pittwater Friends of Soibada plans to provide a preschool and resource centre for children 2-5 preschool age group. In addition to educational resources and instruction they will be provided with a nutritious well balanced meal and have access to clean water. A mobile facility that could regularly transport resources to the Sucos of Soibada is highly desirable.
Community setting.
In July 2015 a meeting with the Chefe de Sucos in Soibada, village leaders and primary school teachers will be held to determine the detailed requirements of the Soibada Preschool. Pittwater Friends of Soibada seek to ensure at all times that the village community has ownership of any projects we implement.
The benefits are far reaching and the impact on families immense.
· Children aged between 2-5 years of age will be provided with essential early learning and school preparation.
· They will have access to nutritional food and increased sanitation and hygiene.
· Older siblings will be able to attend their classes.
· Mothers will be have time for further education and training, to work in their home gardens, the craft cooperative or other business (including staff the guesthouse that is planned for central Soibada).
· There will be opportunity for parents education about health and nutrition
· There are numerous positive environmental implications – construction of toilets, gardens, water tanks and purification system.
· Mobile resources will provide opportunities and support to remote parts of Soibada.
· Jobs and appropriate training will be available for potential staff.
Cross-cutting issues.
It has been proven that the education of girls has a tremendous impact on community development and sustainability in Timor Leste. The establishment of a preschool in Soibada will ensure not only that age 2-5 year old girls are educated but that older female siblings will be able to attend their own classes rather than remain in the home as the carer.
In Soibada, as in most of Timor Leste, there are high rates of illiteracy and extreme poverty. Most families have at least seven or eight children. Children under the age of 6 face huge challenges in their right to life, survival and development. High under-5 mortality rates, malnourishment, as well as diseases such as diarrhoea from inadequate safe water, sanitation and hygiene, all impact on children’s start in life. Very few pre-school-age children are growing up in an environment which adequately nurtures them mentally and physically.
The lack of preschool facilities in Soibada disadvantages more than just the 2-5 year olds. Older siblings miss out on their schooling because they are required to stay at home to care for the younger ones. Some school age children take their younger siblings to school where they wait outside the classrooms. Huge numbers of Timorese children are unable to access their right to education and this has a lifelong impact on their ability to raise their full potential. This particularly affects girls.
Objectives and overall outcome.
Pittwater Friends of Soibada plans to provide a preschool and resource centre for children 2-5 preschool age group. In addition to educational resources and instruction they will be provided with a nutritious well balanced meal and have access to clean water. A mobile facility that could regularly transport resources to the Sucos of Soibada is highly desirable.
Community setting.
In July 2015 a meeting with the Chefe de Sucos in Soibada, village leaders and primary school teachers will be held to determine the detailed requirements of the Soibada Preschool. Pittwater Friends of Soibada seek to ensure at all times that the village community has ownership of any projects we implement.
The benefits are far reaching and the impact on families immense.
· Children aged between 2-5 years of age will be provided with essential early learning and school preparation.
· They will have access to nutritional food and increased sanitation and hygiene.
· Older siblings will be able to attend their classes.
· Mothers will be have time for further education and training, to work in their home gardens, the craft cooperative or other business (including staff the guesthouse that is planned for central Soibada).
· There will be opportunity for parents education about health and nutrition
· There are numerous positive environmental implications – construction of toilets, gardens, water tanks and purification system.
· Mobile resources will provide opportunities and support to remote parts of Soibada.
· Jobs and appropriate training will be available for potential staff.
Cross-cutting issues.
It has been proven that the education of girls has a tremendous impact on community development and sustainability in Timor Leste. The establishment of a preschool in Soibada will ensure not only that age 2-5 year old girls are educated but that older female siblings will be able to attend their own classes rather than remain in the home as the carer.
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Constraints and risks. The three main constraints are: · The rainy season · Poor Communication issues · Accessibility |
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Soibada is extremely remote and access is difficult – especially during rainy season. Construction work would be needed to be done during the dry months. Communication whilst also a problem, could be resolved with the allocation of a mobile phone to the local project manager. The majority of people in Soibada communicate with PFOS via FaceBook on their mobile phones.
Monitoring and Evaluation.
PFOS deem a project successful when it solves problems and issues raised by the Soibada community, can be locally managed and sustained by the local community and functions in accordance with the guidelines set by the Government of Timor Leste. On completion of this project it is anticipated that at least 80% of the children in Soibada between 2-5 years old would have access to and participate in holistic, inclusive Early Childhood Care and Development programmes. This would be either at the central preschool or through the mobile resource service. Volunteers from PFOS will have regular involvement in support of staff at the centre. Staff evaluations would be conducted regularly. A community preschool committee would be established to ensure the quality of service delivered.
Funding
We continue to look for the right partner to help fund this project. If you would like to be part of this necessary project please contact Pittwater Friends of Soibada.
Monitoring and Evaluation.
PFOS deem a project successful when it solves problems and issues raised by the Soibada community, can be locally managed and sustained by the local community and functions in accordance with the guidelines set by the Government of Timor Leste. On completion of this project it is anticipated that at least 80% of the children in Soibada between 2-5 years old would have access to and participate in holistic, inclusive Early Childhood Care and Development programmes. This would be either at the central preschool or through the mobile resource service. Volunteers from PFOS will have regular involvement in support of staff at the centre. Staff evaluations would be conducted regularly. A community preschool committee would be established to ensure the quality of service delivered.
Funding
We continue to look for the right partner to help fund this project. If you would like to be part of this necessary project please contact Pittwater Friends of Soibada.
