Montessori in UgandaA Place for PeaceBy Holly Hilgenberg After 20 years of brutal civil war in the north, the hunger for peace among the people of Uganda is enormous. Children are among the most affected. Many have been orphaned, losing parents to the fighting or HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that rebel forces have abducted 20,000 children since 2002. An effort supported by Illinois-based Montessori educators Tony and Carolyn Kambich has provided a beacon of hope. The initiative began in 1997 when Tony and Carolyn went on a humanitarian trip to set up a micro financing program for women. It was sponsored by the Winnetka, IL, Rotary Club. Carolyn and Tony had founded and operated four Montessori schools over 30 years in northern Illinois. They were eager to share their enthusiasm of the method with Ugandan educators and the educators were interested in listening. Two years later, with the help of many Montessori organizations, teacher training centers and schools, the Kambichs secured internships at their U.S. schools for three Africans from Uganda. One of the interns was Christine Olanya. Upon returning to Uganda in 2001, she and her husband, Ugandan Rotarian Joseph Olanya, founded the Victoria Montessori School. It was by no means easy. In addition to facing the usual factors—funding, materials and a facility—the Olanyas had to deal with poverty, the Municipal Educational authorities’ lack of knowledge of the new method and absence of a Ugandan Montessori support community. With a rented rundown government building, materials from the Kambich’s community and the community of Entebbe’s support, the Olanyas pushed ahead, repairing the plumbing and electricity, painting the walls, fencing in the play area outside and more. Parents got involved as well, building furniture and some Montessori materials. Beginning with a two-room environment and about 45 preschool children, the school won the hearts of many and community members started to see the potential of Montessori education. “Everybody who visited the school was convinced beyond doubt that this was indeed the beginning of a new form of education in the area,” Carolyn said. With its warm, homey interior and new materials, children were immediately drawn to the school. Soon parents began pressuring for a primary classroom, and within five years with strong American support, a new school was built to expand to the elementary level. Today more than 170 children attend the preschool and elementary programs. The school has also been a place of refuge for orphans from the war-torn northern region of Uganda. If Uganda is to build peace, Christine wrote in an e-mail, “We strongly feel the fragile hearts of children is the best starting point.” Though short of funds, Christine has taken in 50 refugee orphans, giving them what Carolyn describes as “a chance at life.” Her belief in the importance of teaching children, specifically those who have seen so much destruction has prompted another initiative—The Uganda Montessori Peace Education Initiative. The initiative received support in 2006 with an Ursula Thrush Peace Seed grant from the American Montessori Society. From the beginning, there was “overwhelming interest” in the initiative, according to Christine. Most of the schools in Entebbe wanted to be involved and many people felt it should be a nationwide project, particularly because of the situation in northern Uganda. Peace talks are going on once again in the area, and there is hope that after 20 years, peace may return to northern Uganda. “This project is very timely. In the aftermath of the wars in Uganda we need to plant the seeds of true love for our country and people through peace education,” Christine wrote. Issues remain. Too often parents in rural areas pull children from school for domestic work. The school is short of space and materials. Finding trained teachers for the primary classes is a challenge, although progress is being made. In December, Christine and Carolyn presented several Montessori workshops covering the areas of practical life, language, cultural areas and math to 58 Ugandan teachers from ten schools. The workshops were sponsored by the recently formed Uganda Montessori Society and the Victoria Montessori School. They are currently working on establishing an ongoing teacher training program, though there are issues with funds, time and accreditation. Christine and Joseph are optimistic. “The future is bright. I and my husband devote all our time, energy and meager resources to make sure Victoria Montessori School becomes a centre of educational excellence in Entebbe and Uganda,” Christine wrote. This year, students from The Boyd Schools in Virginia, Deerfield/ Riverwoods/ Glenview Montessori Schools in Illinois, Montessori Academy of Montgomery, AL, Country Meadows Montessori School in Gurnee, IL, Rotarians from the Winnetka/Northfield Rotary Club, IL, members of the Northbrook United Methodist Church, IL, and numerous AMS members and contributing “friends” of this project provided 50 scholarships for refugee children at the school. On Dec. 9, 2006 nearly 200 people gathered in Entebbe to celebrate the addition of two new classrooms to the second Victoria Montessori School site. Families from both sites gathered for music, refreshments and end of year festivities. The children presented their “peace program” and donations from schools in the United States were accepted on behalf of the school. According to Carolyn, the parents of the students were very thankful for the efforts of those overseas who contributed to the school. She said they “were very proud to be part of a larger international educational philosophy that actively embraced peace, as that spoke to their hearts and to their reality.” How You Can HelpCarolyn Kambich suggests the several ways to help the Ugandan effort:
|
Publications | Order | Links | Contact
© Copyright 2005 Jola Publications
All Rights Reserved
