Chikanga boasts unique ECD

Manicaland Correspondent
A GERMAN charity organisation has established an early childhood centre in Mutare where it gives scholarships to less privileged learners and charges affordable tuition fees for those who are able to pay.

Bongai Shamwari Early Childhood Centre was established in January this year and is located in Mutare’s Chikanga high-density suburb.

In an interview with The Herald recently, founder of the centre Mrs Christa Zeller said the Bongai Shamwari Early Childhood Centre scholarship programme was meant to provide opportunities for eligible children to get quality early education.

“We believe that each child should have the same chances for a bright start in life regardless of their race, economic or physical situation,” she said. “Our mission is to create opportunities for deserving children to get quality early education.

“A quality pre-school education helps children to build self-confidence, learn social skills and develop a life passion for learning. These form a strong foundation for a child’s future.”

Mrs Zeller said of late, the centre had been facing challenges in raising money to pay for the facilities they were using.

To raise the required funding, Mrs Zeller said the pre-school would be hosting an open day on September 8, which will also help lure more learners who are capable of paying fees.

She said learners would showcase skills such as cooking, art, painting and gardening.

“There will be a lot of exciting activities such as lucky dip, traditional music from the learners, poems and many more,” said Mrs Zeller.

She lamented the fact that many families were failing to send children for pre- school.

For a child to qualify for the scholarship programme, the centre requires information on the child’s family socio-economic background, number of children, whether they are orphan or single parented and any other extraordinary conditions or hardships.

The parent or guardian will complete an application form demonstrating their willingness to contribute to the pre-school through work such as cooking, cleaning and many other chores.