why this project?
In Botswana the San (local bushmen) form a marginalised group. The San are not treated with respect by everyone. Moreover, they speak their own language, instead of the official national language of Botswana (which is Tswana). When a San-child starts going to school, he or she has to catch up in this area. The school Kaikagu starts dealing with this problem a year before toddlers start going to a regular primary school. The toddler school uses the methodology learning through play, since the San-children play with teachers and sing songs in Tswana. This is a simple but effective way of changing the language gap.
impact
When a San toddler is able to speak the national language, we expect the children to follow primary school more easily. Besides, children who visited the toddler school have an advantage in knowing how a school is structured. For example, they know of sitting together, of listening to the teacher and of working together. In this way, San children who attended the toddler school have a better chance of succeeding in graduating from regular education.
