Shepherd’s Heart Preschool
P.O. BOX 1294, Blantyre
Malawi
tel. (+265) 1919529, (+265) 999363616
Ministry Summary
Shepherd’s Heart Preschool was born out of recognising a need to provide a safe environment for preschool-aged children in the Chimwankhunda area of Blantyre, Malawi, where the children can create, play and learn, interacting with their caregivers and peers. Pastor Samuel Vinkhumbo and his wife Mrs. Mwawi Vinkhumbo saw numerous little children spending their days more or less unsupervised in the community where their church is located and felt called to answer to the need they identified. The desire to start a preschool was sparked in them and as a result, after a time of preparation, Shephard’s Heart Preschool welcomed its first preschoolers on 30 May 2011.
Ministry Purpose
– supporting families in their role and responsibility as the child’s primary caregivers
– supporting the children’s physical, socio-emotional, creative, academic and spiritual development, and in doing so, providing them with a head-start for school and a foundation in the Christian faith
– creating a safe learning environment, where children and childhood are valued
Meet Our Volunteers
The preschool is headed by Mrs. Vinkhumbo, who has completed the national training for preschool caregivers offered by the Association of Early Childhood Development in Malawi. She shares the responsibility of caring for and teaching the preschoolers with four local volunteers, Mrs. Micandawire, Mrs. Mwenelupembe, Mrs. Chikumbu and Mrs. Mwantobe, who will be receiving their national training in 2012.
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Current Needs
– obtaining either the Step by Step Curriculum or the Shape Curriculum, depending on which one the volunteers decide on. Linda Uys, a South African missionary teacher currently living in Malawi, has kindly offered us training free of charge in implementing the curriculum we choose.
– picture books
– shelves and boxes for storing things
(Ideally we would like to create a Montessori style learning environment to support the children’s independent decision making and allow them to engage more in self-directed activities.)
– learning materials and arts and crafts materials
– equipment and building materials for a playground / an outdoor play area
