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Fursa Kwa Watoto

 

Opportunities For Children

Enhancing Early Childhood Development in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region

Fursa Kwa Watoto

Maarifa ni Ufunguo is proud to present the Fursa kwa Watoto initiative, a community-driven project dedicated to enhancing early childhood education in Moshi district, Kilimanjaro region.

Fursa kwa Watoto (Opportunities for Children) is an initiative in Moshi designed to improve school readiness and learning outcomes for children by building evidence on effective and scalable provision of quality pre-primary education in line with Tanzanian policies and systems.

The ultimate aim of Fursa Kwa Watoto is  that every young child has access to quality early learning opportunities that lay a strong foundation for higher learning and lifelong success, and to support  Tanzania in achieving the vision of the 2014 Education and Training Policy to build a citizenry that is educated, knowledgeable, skilled and proficient to contribute to national development. Toward this aim, Fursa Kwa Watoto seeks to achieve five related outcomes.

Project Objectives

Objective 1: To establish community-led Early Childhood Centres (ECCs) that serve young children in underserved areas.

Our Approach: We work with local communities to establish safe, accessible, and inclusive ECCs that respond to the needs of young children

Through:
Community Mobilization:

  • We organize participatory meetings with community leaders, parents, and local stakeholders to explain the benefits of ECCs.
  • We facilitate the formation of Community Management Committees (CMCs) to oversee each ECC.

Site Identification and Infrastructure:

  • We collaborate with communities to identify suitable sites (e.g. existing community buildings, donated land).
  • We use locally available, sustainable materials to build child-friendly, safe, and accessible classrooms.

Government Engagement:

  • We partner with local government authorities to align with national ECD policies and ensure ECCs are officially recognized.
  • We advocate for local budget allocations and technical support

Objective 2: To train local community members and teachers to deliver quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) education.

Our Approach: We build local capacity by training community educators to deliver quality, culturally relevant ECD services

Through:
Recruitment:

  • We identify literate, motivated individuals within the community—especially women and youth—to become ECC educators

Capacity Building:

  • We develop and deliver training modules covering:
    • Play-based, child-centered pedagogy
    • Child health, nutrition, and hygiene
    • Child protection and safeguarding
    • Inclusive education for children with special needs

Ongoing Mentorship:

  • We establish mentoring relationships between trained educators and experienced ECD professionals (through partnerships with teacher training colleges or government trainers).
  • We conduct periodic refresher courses and peer-learning workshops.

Objective 3: To provide learning materials and resources that support effective teaching and learning.

Our Approach: We will ensure that ECCs are equipped with relevant, low-cost, and locally produced learning materials

Through:
Development of Locally Relevant Materials:

  • We collaborate with local artists, teachers, and parents to produce storybooks, rhymes, and songs in local languages.

Basic Resources:

  • We supply ECCs with essential items:
    • Chalkboards, notebooks, crayons, and posters
    • Child-sized furniture and play equipment

Community-Made Learning Kits:

  • We facilitate workshops to teach parents and community members how to make toys, games, and teaching aids using locally available and recycled materials.

Objective 4: To mobilize communities on the importance of early childhood education and development.

Our Approach: We build community awareness and support for ECCs by highlighting the benefits of early childhood education

Through:
Community Sensitization Campaigns:

  • We organize community meetings, market day events, and radio broadcasts to discuss the importance of early childhood development..
  • We use drama groups, songs, and storytelling to engage different audiences.

Parenting Education:

  • We offer workshops on:
    • Positive parenting and child development
    • Health, hygiene, and nutrition practices at home
    • The importance of play and learning in daily routines

Community Champions:

  • We identify and train local influencers (e.g., elders, teachers, health workers) to advocate for ECD within their networks.t

Objective 5: To support Women’s Economic Groups through seed funding for women’s groups, enabling them to run sustainable businesses that generate income to support the ECCs.

Our Approach: We empower women’s groups to start small businesses that generate income to sustain the ECCs

Through:
Formation and Strengthening of Women’s Groups:

  • We organize local women into savings and credit groups or cooperatives linked to ECCs.
  • We facilitate leadership and governance training to build their capacity

Seed Funding and Business Development:

  • We provide seed grants or small loans to kick-start income-generating activities (e.g., poultry farming, soap making, tailoring).
  • We deliver training in financial literacy, bookkeeping, and marketing.

Profit-Sharing Mode:

  • We encourage each group to allocate a portion of profits to support ECC operational costs (e.g., teacher stipends, maintenance, supplies).
  • We establish transparent reporting mechanisms to build accountability

Theory Of Change

Key Achievements

Impact On Children And Communities

Increased school readiness among children entering primary education.

Strengthened community involvement and ownership of early childhood development initiatives.

Improved economic resilience and empowerment of women and their families.

Enhanced awareness of the importance of early childhood education across Moshi and Kilimanjaro.

Testimonials

Namshukuru sana mwalimu wa kituo, mwanangu amekuwa mchangamfu, anajiamini na ana ari ya kujifunza (Thanks to the teachers, my child is more confident, assertive and eager to learn.)

Mwanahamisi Shabani, a parent in Mabungo villageFursa Kwa Watoto

“Mradi umekuwa na manufaa sana kwetu kwa sababu hausaidii vituo tu, umesaidia pia kuongeza kipato cha familia” (The project has been very beneficial to us because not only it serves the centres but also increased the family income)

A WEG member in Uchira villageFursa Kwa Watoto

“Sikuwahi kufikiria kwamba kuna siku nitafanya kama hii, nafurahia sana kazi kazi ya kusaidia Watoto nina amani moyoni (I never thought that one day I will do this kind job, I enjoy working with children, I have peace of mind

An ECC teacher in Koresa villageFursa Kwa Watoto

Fursa Kwa Watoto Gallery

Join Us Today In Exanding Opportunities For Children

We invite partners and donors to support the expansion of “Fursa kwa Watoto” to reach more children and communities. Together, we can build a brighter future by investing in our youngest learners today.

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