Earlier this year, the Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland had the pleasure of supporting the development of a new, purpose-built classroom at the Mwanangu Special Waldorf School, now known as Asili Academy, which is located in the town of Vikindu, approximately one hour’s drive South of Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam.
Founded by Janet Manoni, the school operates under the Mama na Mwana Foundation, formally Mwanangu Development Tanzania, (Mama na Mwana in Swahili, meaning Mother and Child). It is an organisation that works to improve the quality of life for vulnerable children through different projects and initiatives in both the health and education sectors with their mission being to raise awareness, provide access, and advocate for children’s rights in these areas.
The school has been embraced by Camphill Africa, recognising it as part of the wider Camphill movement, and follows the Waldorf ethos, providing holistic, child-centred education, specifically tailored for children with disabilities and additional support needs, in particular spina bifida, hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy and Down’s Syndrome. A total of 110 children currently attend the school, many of whom don’t live locally and have to travel many miles to get there. The school also runs a biodynamic farm where vegetables, fruit and cereals are grown and is home to cows, goats, chickens and bees. The harvest is enjoyed by the school community and any surplus is sold at the village market to generate income.
The Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland provided a grant of £9,000 to help finance the construction of this much-needed classroom for the school’s fifth-grade pupils and along with contributions from local fundraising efforts, the project successfully reached its target. The addition of the new classroom now allows the school to cater for this older age-group with suitable facilities to create an inclusive learning environment where children with and without disabilities can learn side by side. The children are enjoying lessons in their new space and the final external works are scheduled to be completed during the next school holiday period.
In April this year, Peter Bateson, Trustee of the Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland, had the pleasure of visiting the school and saw first-hand the positive impact it has on so many children, who have now been given access to an inclusive education through this initiative.
“The classroom walls are beautifully painted in light, warm colours and the classrooms are awash with artwork, paintings, drawings and craftwork of every description. The children are noticeably enthusiastic and happy to be in school and love and respect their teachers. The teachers are an extremely dedicated and devoted group of people.”
In workshop sessions during his visit, Peter was able to offer his advice and guidance on teaching practice, general school development and the maintenance of collaborative working in the teachers group.
“First and foremost, the subject matter consisted of the renewed understanding of child development elucidated by Rudolf Steiner, which lies at the heart of all Waldorf and Camphill educational work. We went on to explore and discuss the various developmental syndromes as experienced in Camphill schools, including hydrocephaly, cerebral palsy and Down’s Syndrome, which they have most experience with. We went some way to understand the polarities between certain conditions, which were described and portrayed by Karl König and other great Camphill teachers, doctors and mentors in the past. The great healing task of Steiner-based education for special needs allows the individuals to benefit from their education and to adequately prepare themselves for the challenges of adult life”.
The Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland is honoured to have supported the school in achieving this important milestone. To find out more about the Mama na Mwana Foundation and their initiatives for health and education, please click here.
Our ability to support projects such as this is only possible due to the donations and legacies that we receive. If you would like to donate to the Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland, and help us positively impact the lives of many, please click here. Or, if you have a project on the horizon that you think may be eligible for financial support, we’d love to hear from you.
