“We do not inherit the earth from ancestors, we borrow it from our children,” saying of nativeAmericans, has impactful meaning on what we have to transfer to the upcoming generation. A beam of light flickered by the good tasks of the present generation shines bright for the one in the pipeline.
To realize the dreams of the upcoming generation, looking for alternative solutions for the current awkward occurrences is significant. It is also crucial to set free the next generation from fear of insecurity, inferiority complex, low self-esteem and gloomy future prospect.
Love, faith and hope are the cornerstone moral values to see light on the other end of the tunnel in the form of righteousness and virtual citizens. The dying of the ancestors for a minute could save the lives of the upcoming generation. Imbuing the upcoming generation with the spirit of peace tranquility and prosperity is inevitable to help the country to fulfill its set goals.
Here is appropriate to mention St. Mother Theresa once said bad happenings on earth occur not because of bad people, but because of good people’s inaction not to do something good for the people. The present generation is charged with the responsibility to uplifting the hope of the next generation by taking the right measures at the right time.
Creating conducive environment and platform for the upcoming generation is instrumental to keep it aloof from trigger happy mentality and pessimistic outlook.
Presumably, the time is due for those parents who often dream about wonderful incidents. It will be soon to see light at the end of the tunnel for Ethiopia, given the presence of kindred souls having the sentiment of friendship.
Doing everything mindful of the benefit of the next generation is a far sighted thinking to die for the sake of eternity. To arm the upcoming generation with the mission of self-leadership and social responsibility are paramount for the fate of aforementioned generation. Guiding them, through means of education program is of paramount significance.
Education is key for developing human capital and prosperity of the a nation. Kindergarten educational program is a springboard to forecast what will be the fate of the next generation and the advancement of the country.
In this regard, this journalist has just visited Regna Family Center and approached the general manager of the Center, Heran Taddesse, regarding the executive task of the center and other related issues such as recasting the educational programs of the country. One of the founders of Regina Family Center is the wife of Dr. Negasso Geidada—Regina Albet from Germany. Excerpts:
Herald: How do you see the status of daycare program here in the country?
Heran: Based on the Waldorf pedagogy, we believe that children aged 1 – 7 learn best through imitation and stimulation of their imaginations.
Kids naturally learn by using their senses, like the sense of touch, balance and movement. That lends them a sense of comfort in terms of security, love and protection.
The senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste and the sense of optimism that life being good is very important for a healthy development. Life is beautiful. It is important that children are surrounded by beautiful colors and nature, nutritious food and a predictable routine based on the rhythm of the seasons and various holidays.
Herald: Who are the co-founders of Regina Family center?
Heran: The Regina Family Center was founded by 6 mothers and Regina Abelt is like the matriarch, since she helped all these moms to deliver their babies and guided us like a mother through the early years. The Center was founded in 2014 officially. Two of the founders of Regina namely Abelt and Heranne Broos are still actively involved in the task to achieve success for the center and for the kids.
Herald: What are the main goals and objectives of the center?
Heran: The main goals reside in supporting a holistic and healthy early development of the children who attend our daycare center according to the Waldorf principles and according to the Ethiopian culture. Also included in the goal is found improving the nutrition by the meals of vegetarian food we prepare for the children as well as creating a community of families who share similar values.
Herald: What kinds of challenges have you faced so far?
Heran: Challenges have been around finding and retaining good staff, covering all our expenses, without raising the school fees too high for middle class families.
Herald: What roles is your center playing for the betterment of next generation?
Heran: Since our focus is not just on academic accomplishments, but involving both the head, the heart and the hands, all children will get the chance to express themselves, explore the world around, develop life skills and social skills, which all leads to building confidence. We aim at a
strong foundation and believe that the world is good and that we all have something unique to contribute.
Herald: Do you have any suggestion regarding the activity of daycare schools here in this country?
Heran: Let us allow room for the children to connect to nature and play on gamboling fields. Let us see to the presence of green spaces so that their energy can be grounded, their stress levels can go down and their senses can be opened to learn about the cycles of life. Let us be active in the task of taking them in gardening, baking & cooking, art & music, so their whole being can be involved and inspired.
Herald: What sort of teaching services does the center provide for the kids in school?
The center is doing its level best in giving lessons for the kids in the activities of horse riding, gardening, baking, drawing, painting, sculpting, Music; singing, dancing and playing with instruments, yoga, story-telling, puppet shows, nap time for the small children and as well teaching them free play, to encourage them to use their imagination and create stories and games themselves.
Herald: Do you have any suggestion regarding the kindergarten educational system of the country?
Heran: Children should be allowed to be children. It is difficult for them to comprehend intangible matters, like the alphabet. Introducing learning through play and by using the senses in the early years will make learning a lot more fun. As long as children can enjoy learning, reading, writing and calculating the aforementioned way, they will benefit their entire lives.
Herald: What are the future prospects of Regina Family Center?
Heran: We would like to expand into a wellness center, a wellness shop, a parents’ café, a birth center in another location, a kindergarten, a primary school and a training center for adults. We would like to offer services not only for the children, but also for adults and all members of our communities.
Herald: What is the government expected to do in improving the kinder-garden program?
Heran: There are rules, regulations and standards that the government sets to comply to basic levels of quality education. Some of the rules are adjusted and updated to better serve the people. We would like to see more alternative systems of education being incorporated and accepted too. The curricula we use should get localized to meet the local needs and to help raise children, who grow into creative adults to deal with this fast changing world.
Herald: At last, you are welcome to convey your message.
Heran: You are all invited to come and visit our center today, to get a taste of wellness at our bazaar. The vendors sell healthy, natural and local products. And as well organic vegetables from Holeta, dresses, bags, jewelry, furniture and many more products will be tabled on the bazaar ceremonial occasion. We also run wellness workshops, like yoga, tai chi and massage.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 15 December 2019
BY MEHARI BEYENE
