Mercy is a teacher from Gboloo-Kofi. She’s been teaching for five years, the last two of which have been at Aboabo Creche. As Creche Madam here, she talks to us about the impact the Creche has had on her, her young pupils, their families, and the wider community. Aboabo Creche is one of five built and run by Village by Village in Ghana’s rural Eastern Region.
Mercy tells us there is no Government provision for Early Years Education. Normally, children start Kindergarten when they are five years old. This can make life difficult for families with young children: often parents without childcare cannot work; household incomes are squeezed; and families may fall into poverty.
The Aboabo Creche looks after 42 two to four-year-olds for six hours a day. The children have a hot, nutritious lunch; they learn the alphabet, to count, how to hold a pencil; they sing, play and listen to stories; they practise hand washing; and become accustomed to the structure of a school day.
