Dufatanye Preschool
Summary of project status and achievements:
March saw the closing of Term I for Dufatanye preschool. Posttests were administered to the students while our two new teachers, Cecilia and Florence successfully completed their first Term as FORGE employees. Progress towards Coordinator’s goals/Trends from Indicators: The Dufatanye pupils maintained consistent attendance and scored well on their posttest exams. The coordinator and the Site Manager hope to see attendance improve with the full implementation of the school feeding program beginning in May.
No progress has been made towards the goal of financial independence/sustainability. The Site Manager has urged the coordinator to schedule community meetings in order to discuss this situation but something always comes up and the meeting is canceled. The Site Manager feels that the coordinator is not serious about sustainability and will be working hard this month to make sure he understands the importance of this exercise.
Future activities and goals:
In April, the teachers will commence training in preparation for the beginning of Term II. It is their hope, as well of that as the SM that with the time off to reflect and improve, they will have a smooth beginning to Term II.
Wishes or requests:
None
Substantial problems or issues:
In late March, the G Community school closed for a week in order to repair the students’ restrooms. As a result, Dufatanye closed as well, because the older students were not around to accompany their young siblings to class.
Kunachi Preschool
Summary of project status and achievements:
Much like its sister institution, Dufatanye, Kunachi closed its doors in March after a difficult and challenging Term I. Attendance plummeted due to the riot and still has not recovered. Kelvin and Duminga preformed admirably despite these challenges, and the SM is happy with their progress as leaders of the school.
Progress towards Coordinator’s goals/Trends from Indicators:
Attendance began to bounce back by the end of Term I. Kelvin, the head teacher, hopes that this will carry over into Term II beginning in May. It is his goal that attendance will recover to pre-riot levels by the end of the term. A new delivery of food/equipment for the UNHCR school feeding program (scheduled for April) should assist with this goal.
Future activities and goals:
In April both teachers will commence training Pretty, the new teacher hired to replace Chitula. Pretty will manage Duminga’s classroom while she is on maternity leave in April/May/June. If attendance warrants a substitute will be found as a third teacher until Duminga can return to work.
It is the goal of the Head Teacher that attendance will reach pre-riot levels before the end of the term.
Kelvin has announced his intentions to leave the settlement. He has applied for scholarship to university in Lusaka and declares that if he doesn’t get selected he will repatriate to Angola. The Head Teacher and SM have began to discuss who should succeed him in his post.
Wishes or Requests:
None.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
