The first Wildlife Works Nursery School graduation ceremony was a joyful occasion filled with dance and song along with awards to recognize the student’s achievements. Parents and teachers, among others, used the opportunity to express their gratitude for the nursery school at Wildlife Works.
Dressed in navy blue gowns, which had been tailored at the local Wildlife Works clothing factory, the graduating students recited classroom songs while guests took the time to reflect on what the Wildlife Works Nursery School (based at our Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project) means to them.
A graduating student receives a certificate
Daniel Munyao, who is the Manager at the Wildlife Works eco-factory, where most of the pupils’ parents work, highlighted the crucial role that the nursery school has played in the running of his business.
“Before we started the nursery school, we had absenteeism issues with some of the employees who had to take days off to take their children for immunization or to attend parent-teacher meetings in other schools. This problem has mostly been solved since the inception of the nursery,” he said.
A member of Wildlife Works’ Nursery School’s first graduating class
Now teachers at the school ensure that the children are taken for immunization as well as arranging discussions with the parents of those who may be having problems in class. This translates to more work hours and better coordination at the factory.
The two teachers, Madam Colleta Nthenya and Miss. Monica Nchekei, also expressed their appreciation for the nursery school.
Students pose in their navy cap and gowns tailored at Wildlife Works’ very own clothing factory
“I got myself a job when the nursery school started,” stated Madam Colleta. Her sentiments were echoed by Monica Nchekei who wished to thank the management of Wildlife Works for coming up with ‘such a brilliant idea’.
Colleta and Monica have been crucial in ensuring the success of the school, as they’ve worked diligently to ensure young students are cared for and educated to the national standard.
Apart from serving as a low-cost academic institution for our Wildlife Works staff, the nursery school is also a daycare center for the young children.
The first graduating class of Wildlife Works’ Nursery School
“We cannot express our gratitude strongly enough,” one of the parents at the graduation stated. “The nursery school has been a life saver for most of us. It has taken away the need to employ house helps and we do not have to worry that our kids will be sent home due to school fees in arrears,” she added.
As with most other community events and projects, these achievements were made possible through the protection of our environment from degradation and deforestation. We would like to wish all graduated students of the Wildlife Works nursery school success in the next steps of their education.
