The Namitembo Montessori Nursery opened informally last Tuesday to wails of “Amayi, Amayi.” Two year olds who don’t want to be left are the same the world around.

Seven members of the training class were given jobs. They and volunteer director, Sarah, from England, are pulling together as an excellent staff. There are three rooms: Mangoes for 4 and 5 year olds, Guavas for 3 year olds, and Paw Paws for 1 and 2 year olds.

On day three, a “crying zone” was established out on the kondi (covered porch) with two staff members, in order to contain all that sadness. By today, there was only one tiny boy who cried a lot. Everyone else was quite content.

The water has not yet been hooked up, so teachers pour water from jugs over little hands, give a swipe with a bar of soap and wipe them dry. The children bring their own snacks to school. The Montessori equipment is ready, though the teachers are choosing to keep a low-key schedule for the time being. English nursery rhymes and songs are taught and already the Mangoes can tell their names, their villages and their ages, all in English.

Meanwhile workers are on duty each day to complete the building. Over the weekend, a sink appeared in the future kitchen and a bridge was built across a drainage ditch at the entrance. Mosquito screens have been installed on all the windows. Shelves were built by the Namitembo carpenters who will also make low tables for the classrooms. A grassy, fenced play yard will soon be constructed and small climbing equipment is on the schedule for outdoor play. Chet made a dandy set of little blocks using scraps from the window frames of the nursery building. I have been washing and mending a collection of donated soft toys.

The nursery will have its formal opening on April 3, 2009.

Ubwino Wa Amayi (For the Good of Women) is the organization that has financed the building, the equipment and supplies and will be paying teacher salaries. Ubwino also pays school fees for 75 young women in the Namitembo trade school and in secondary school. A number of these women have young children who are enrolled in the nursery. Please visit www.ubwino.org Consider a donation to this good cause!