boNGO Programs

The following programs are currently running:

• Preschool Of the Future Programme

• Tiyende Pamodzi Model Community Program

THE POF PROGRAMME (PRESCHOOL OF THE FUTURE PROGRAMME) – Brief Description

The POF Programme is a pilot project implemented with 13 Community Based Childcare Centres (CBCCs) and Community Pre-schools in Mbame, rural Blantyre (T/A Somba), Malawi. The programme is coordinated from UMODZI-MBAME CBO Community Pre-school, which aims to develop into an example POF CBCC and Training Centre. The Programme is facilitated and sponsored by the Non-Governmental Organisation boNGO in line with the objectives of the NGO – which are based on need-driven grassroots ownership and voluntary participatory approaches [for more information see boNGO Description].

Underlying vision of the POF Programme:

All children have the chance and support to develop their full individual potential in all aspects of their personality (intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and physically).

Aim of the POF Programme:

Broadening the Capacity of rural CBCCs and Preschools, ensuring:

• Quality education and care for the children

• A happy and safe working and learning environment for everyone

• A sustainable set up and management of the Centre / School

Objectives of the POF Programme:

• Establishing a working group of rural and already active CBCCs and Community Preschools based on a voluntary, need, and interest driven involvement

• Implementing the POF Teaching Manual through Teacher Training Courses, Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation procedures

• Further developing and enhancing the POF Manual and Programme in order for it to assist the needs and interests of the beneficiaries

• Supporting the development of an example POF CBCC and Teacher Training Centre, that provides inspiration and learning opportunities to surrounding schools and other interested parties

• Liaising and working with other relevant organizations, networks and partners in order to realise the POF Programme’s aims and objective

What has been achieved so far:

• Establishment of a working group of 42 teachers from 20 local Preschools

• Facilitation of one initial Teacher Training Week and 4 2-day Workshops (monthly)

• Implementation and continuous development of the POF Manual which is based on a holistic approach encouraging the individual growth of each child on the intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual levels

• Supervision and Monitoring Visits to the participating Preschools

• Intensive work with the Preschool of UMODZI-MBAME CBO, with the aim to develop an example CBCC; this includes close cooperation with the CBO and its leaders, support for the set up and running of the Preschool, frequent (twice a week) supervision visits and meetings with the 3 teachers in order to ensure quality teaching, care, and working conditions

• Establishing contacts with relevant partners on local (e.g. Primary Schools and Primary Education Advisors [PEAs], etc.), national (e.g. Malawi Association of Playgroups, Governmental Offices, NGOs, etc.), and international (e.g. Schools from abroad, NGOs, Development Education Contacts, etc.) levels.

The way forward:

• Continuing the implementation of the POF Manual

• Enhancing and further developing the POF Manual and the POF Programme as a whole, based on experience and evaluation with the working group

• Making the POF Manual and Programme reports available to other interested parties

• Developing a sustainable Example POF Preschool from where the Programme can expand

Contact:

POF Facilitators: Justin Namizinga and Simone Fuchs

P.O. Box 3110, Blantyre, Malawi / Cell: +265 975 8902 or 851 1042 / boNGOmalawi@gmail.com

THE TIYENDE PAMODZI MODEL COMMUNITY PROGRAM – Brief Description

The Tiyende Pamodzi Model Community Program is a pilot project implemented with the Tiyende Pamodzi (Let's Go Forward Together) Community Based Organization (CBO) in Kantimbanya, rural Blantyre (T/A Somba), Malawi. The program is coordinated from Madziabango Trading Center, where Group Village Headman Kantimbanya has reserved a plot of land for the center. The Program is facilitated and sponsored by the Non-Governmental Organisation boNGO in line with the objectives of the NGO – which are based on need-driven grassroots ownership and voluntary participatory approaches [for more information see boNGO Description], the Tiyende Pamodzi CBO, and The Glass House- a permaculture resource center.

Underlying vision of the Model Community Program:

By attending to the needs of a community's children in the developmental areas of Education, Health, Food Security, and Social Well-being, a platform is established for the holistic development of the community itself.

Aim of the Model Community Program:

A model approach to community development which may be adopted by and adapted to all development-conscious communities on the planet.

 

Objectives of the Model Community Program:

• A progressive and sustainable increase in the CBO’s capacity in the areas of education, health, food security, and social wellbeing.

• An internalized method of monitoring and evaluating the development of the CBO and model community so as to ensure their dynamic growth and learning.

• The sharing and promotion of this program to enhance it and to inspire others to initiate and practice development according to this model approach.
  

• A model community based childcare center/ community center designed using the principles of permaculture/ sustainable living.

What has been achieved so far:

• Research into alternative building methods, with a focus on locally available resources
  

• A draft design of the community center, by the members of Tiyende Pamodzi CBO

The way forward:

• Construction of the Community Center
  

• Promotion of the center and the community throughout Malawi and the world

Contact:

POF Facilitators: Justin Namizinga and David Leflar

P.O. Box 3110, Blantyre, Malawi / Cell: +265 975 8902 or 851 1042 / boNGOmalawi@gmail.com