Watoto Wasome is a Kiswahili phrase meaning 'Let the children read'. It was birthed from a passion for children's education and noticing the gap in the quality of education that children in underserved communities faced. Especially when it came to literacy, with the latest research in Kenya by Uwezo stating that only 3 out of 10 class 3 pupils can do simple class 2 work. Burdened with the knowledge that illiteracy is one of the leading causes of poverty, we thought why not nip it in the bud and start with the early years and that is how Watoto Wasome was born. We ensure it's fully hands-on and child-centered. Last year we started with one children's rescue center (3-10yrs) who were crammed in one classroom with one teacher who could not cater to individual needs so only the children who came into the institution with good literacy levels were attended to. The children were 23 in total. This year we added another children's home since we challenged ourselves to add another group (and getting volunteers) and they were excited about our work and collaboration. We also provide heart education which is love care and indirect therapy (especially through art) because majority of these children have been through traumatic experiences and if the heart is not rested and feeling loved and appreciated then learning does not occur in its best form.
External link for Watoto Wasome
Nairobi, KE
Nairobi, Nairobi 00100, KE
Watoto Wasome reposted this
👩🏫 Teaching new literacy concepts is hard and sometimes the learners may struggle to understand. To troubleshoot this and ensure information retention, we make our literacy lessons fun and simple by using engaging games that allow learners to be challenged, corrected and affirmed by their peers. #TheWatotoWasomeWay 📚 Elimisha Watoto Foundation Fanikisha Elimu Mtoto News Education 2030 UN
👩🏫 Teaching new literacy concepts is hard and sometimes the learners may struggle to understand. To troubleshoot this and ensure information retention, we make our literacy lessons fun and simple by using engaging games that allow learners to be challenged, corrected and affirmed by their peers. #TheWatotoWasomeWay 📚 Elimisha Watoto Foundation Fanikisha Elimu Mtoto News Education 2030 UN
📚 In our pursuit to eradicate illiteracy, it's crucial to recognize that one-size-fits-all approaches simply don't work. Tailoring curriculums to meet students where they are—teaching at the right level—can transform learning outcomes and accelerate our progress in eradicating illiteracy. 🚀 By focusing on foundational skills and ensuring that every learner receives the support they need to advance, we empower them to learn and explore freely, paving the way for a more educated and equitable Kenya. Teaching at the Right Level Africa Elimu Fanaka Initiative Fanikisha Elimu The LEGO Foundation Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) Education Cannot Wait (ECW)
Watoto Wasome reposted this
Our Executive Director, Joel Elphas had the incredible opportunity to participate in a one-day fundraising bootcamp organized by For Impact | The Suddes Group in Nairobi Kenya, where he laid the groundwork for impactful funding strategies. Guided by Lisa Sestile Corcoran, this session offered valuable insights into addressing pressing social challenges by unlocking funding. It was a pleasure to connect with Danielle Ochieng' Founder and CEO of Watoto Wasome, who is doing amazing work in child-centered literacy in Kenya. Together, we’re committed to empowering our communities! #TECEC #Fundraising #ChildLiteracy #ForImpact #EmpoweringCommunities Issroff Family FoundationLisa IssroffWatoto Wasome
🚀We are on a mission to improve literacy levels in children in Kenya and we need your help doing it. 📚If you love children and are willing to teach them the a-b-c's of languages, then come join our superstar volunteers. 📝Fill in the form: https://lnkd.in/d3P35jKd & our head of volunteers will reach out to you soon. #earlychildhoodeducation #literacyforall #education #sdg4qualucation
📚We understand that the literacy journey can be exciting and challenging for children. That’s why we are passionate about harnessing the power of engaging videos and captivating storytelling to boost literacy skills and foster a lifelong love for reading. 🎥 Last Sunday, our team engaged the children through visual learning. Videos provide a dynamic and multisensory learning experience. They combine visual and auditory elements that can make complex concepts easier to understand. For children, especially those who are visual learners, videos can simplify the process of learning new words, phonetics, and sentence structures.
📚 Unlocking the power of language starts with mastering the basics, and for young learners, understanding digraphs is a crucial step. Digraphs, such as "th," "sh," "ch," and "wh," are combinations of two letters that create unique sounds. These foundational elements are key to developing strong reading and pronunciation skills. Innovative techniques are essential to making learning digraphs engaging and effective. Here are some creative approaches we used last Sunday: 🙌 Interactive Games: We used a board game that focused on identifying words that have digraphs. 🎯 Hands-On Activities: We crafted flashcards that allowed the learners to create words that have digraphs. These techniques made learning digraphs enjoyable and built a strong foundation for literacy. #EarlyEducation #LiteracySkills #InnovativeTeaching #Phonics #ChildDevelopment #CreativeLearning #EducationInnovation #YoungLearners #TeachingStrategies
Watoto Wasome reposted this
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Hub at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
🚨 URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Africa's #EducationCrisis 🚨 It's time we face a harsh reality: 9 out of 10 African children cannot read with understanding or do basic math by age 10. This isn't just a statistic. It's a crisis that threatens the future of an entire continent. 🌍 Our children deserve better. 📚 Our future demands better. 💪 We must do better. We cannot stand by and watch as 90% of our young minds struggle with foundational skills. Join us in declaring this situation UNACCEPTABLE. Together, we can turn the tide and ensure every African child has the skills they need to thrive. Read, download, and share the President's Call and Commitment to Action on Foundational Learning here: shorturl.at/rTMlv #AUMYCM #SDG4 #FoundationalLearning #AUYearofEducation
📚 The cost of illiteracy is too high for a nation to bear. Through our creative curriculums and interactive learning programs we are on a mission to ensure all children have access to quality foundational learning. Every child deserves the right to receive quality education regardless of their socioeconomic background. You can help us reach more children and improve literacy levels in Kenya through your support. ✨
Our programs are a testament on how play can help improve literacy levels in children. Read our Founder's article that discusses the place of play in foundational learning.
Founder & CEO at Watoto Wasome | Curriculum & Content Designer | Education Consultant
Play = Learning (and enjoying the learning process 🤗). The place of play cannot be emphasized enough in children's learning. In fact, there is lots of evidence on the ground that proves how effective it is in improving literacy levels for all children, including underserved children. And it can be achieved in a variety of creative ways using materials that can be used over and over again! Respah Wakhungu