THE OLIVE BRANCH FOR CHILDREN
montessori kindergartens
The Olive Branch for Children (TOBFC) partners with 20 different communities in the Mbeya Region to provide quality early childhood learning experiences through our Montessori Kindergartens outreach program. Each of the 20 Kindergartens is a Montessori Casa Classroom.
Casa Classrooms are based on the Montessori Method, which encourages each child’s unique development. The program is structured on the principles of child development and the 'discovery' approach formulated by Dr. Maria Montessori that prepares children for the challenges of grade school and life itself.
In 2023, over 2,200 children were enrolled in the TOBFC Montessori Kindergartens program, providing an enriching and supportive experience for vulnerable children to begin their educational journey. These are children who would otherwise have no opportunity to benefit from formal early childhood education.
TOBFC support of these 20 Montessori schools demonstrates our belief in the innovative teachings that encourage critical thinking and creativity among children – essential skills for their future. Our Montessori Kindergartens program provides the foundation to empower children to build dignified lives.
Each Montessori Kindergarten is a partnership between TOBFC and the community where the school is located. This unique model helps to foster community investment, raises awareness of the value of education, and builds long-term support to ensure the success of the community kindergartens.
To have a school built in a community, its leaders must approach TOBFC and make a request for a Montessori program. The community must provide an initial structure and/or land where TOBFC can build a school. Then the community is responsible for putting together a school committee that selects a teacher and decides upon the community’s contribution toward the teacher’s salary. The community also participates in the construction of their school. TOBFC covers all additional costs associated with the creation of the school, including the rest of the teacher’s salary, furniture, and initial learning materials for the Casa Classroom. TOBFC provides new learning materials annually for all the Casa Classrooms to ensure the highest educational standards are maintained.
All the Montessori teachers are from the local communities, which gives them valuable insights to better serve the students and their families. TOBFC ensures teachers are supported with high-quality training and ongoing professional development opportunities. This includes an annual 15-day training course hosted by TOBFC in the community of Utengule-Usangu. Two of our teachers have completed the AMI Montessori Diploma Program in Dar-es-Salaam through full scholarships generously provided by the Arthur Waser Foundation.
The Montessori Kindergartens also act as informal community hubs where additional programming and parent education takes place. TOBFC implements health initiatives for children registered in the schools, including handwashing stations, de-worming and anti-fungal campaigns. We also provide valuable information to parents on a variety of topics, including health and wellness practices that can save lives.
Of the 20 Montessori Kindergarten Classrooms in our program, 18 are now operating in newly constructed purpose-built or extensively renovated buildings by TOBFC. The construction for some of these classrooms have been funded through designated donations from our Global Family of supporters.
Completed Montessori Casa Classroom constructions:
1. Gomoshelo
2. Azimio-Mswiswi
3. Azimio-Mapula
4. Vaughan Wambilo
5. V-School Utengule
6. Filomena and Azeglio Bevilacqua Simike-Mapula
7. LiUNA! 183 Ihanga
8. AMS-Magurula
9. Tunakujali Tansania Mwika
10. Tunakujali Tansania Lyanang’we
11. Walker Foundation Ugomtwa
12. M-Mwashota Montessori
13. Maendeleo
14. M-School Mwashota MSK
15. Tunakujali Mbwawa
16. K-Lyankunda Montessori MSK
17. Tunakujali Tansania Nganga
18. Itezi Primary School Kindergarten
TOBFC is recognized in Tanzania as being a leader in the development of early childhood learning programs. In addition to the 20 Montessori Kindergarten Classrooms in the TOBFC program, we have provided our expertise to help other groups in Tanzania to open 10 additional classrooms outside of our catchment area. To date, TOBFC has directly impacted the creation of 30 early learning classrooms in Tanzania.
Our Montessori Kindergartens program provides excellence in education and their operation allows us to build community goodwill and offer additional integrated programming to rural communities. We will continue to work with our local community partners to provide more children with the education needed to help them reach their potential.
We thank all our sponsors, partners and donors who have believed in this program and helped us to expand its reach and impact over the years.
Thank you to our Montessori Kindergarten Patrons
