ASMK is currently doing a pilot project at Nhobola village which is about 35 km from Shinyanga town. Nhobola village is a community of about 3500 small subsistence farmers. The village has no portable water and energy source. ASMK is working in partnership with the villagers and local government authorities to help the villagers get adequate supply of portable water by constructing wells, dams a
nd irrigation services, to improve agricultural and crop yields so that small holder farmers - majority of them women, realize incomes and hence improve their standard of living and promote better education for their children. In the two years that ASMK has been active in Nhobola, ASMK set up the first preschool in Nhobola, where 23% of the population is under the age of six. The preschool opened in February 2014, registering the first lucky 50 children. 100 children had to be turned away because of lack of space. The preschool has two classes which use interactive, fun learning methods to help kids learn English, Math, Science, Art and Music as well as gain critical thinking skills and the confidence. Children start school at age 6 in Tanzania, however, many of them will start late, drop out early or not go to school at all. There is a growing amount of research showing the importance of learning before the age of 7 as this is the time in life when we are most absorbent of new knowledge. It is being found in many countries that the education we receive before 7 has a tremendous effect on our future learning and life. ASMK wanted to provide the children of Nhobola a step up into the world by having an unique English preschool that they can attend for 1 or 2 years before starting primary school. The school gives children books to read, arts and crafts materials, musical instruments, toys and a variety of tools for learning not just the English language, but also the ability to think creatively, take risks, be independent and have fun. In Shinyanga town, ASMK recently opened a preschool playgroup at the Anna Schubert Centre for children between the ages of 3 and 5. ASMK has also been giving out some much needed donations to local schools. This includes Science, Arts, and Maths equipment. ASMK has also provided some medical beds, scales and other medical equipment to local clinics as well as to the local government hospital.
