Father Mario

4-year old Gangsta!

Happy, curious faces! The camera is always a big hit!

Father Mario's Kindergarten classroom

In graduate school, one of my favourite professors told me, “small is beautiful.” (great advice Nathan) What he meant was that a small, focused intervention could often make more of a difference in people’s lives than big, mulit-sectoral projects that reached tens of thousands of people. For example, a psychosocial project reaching a few hundred children who had been affected by violence might do more good than a building dozens of school buildings across a whole state. Recently, I posted a link to a New York Times article about some amazing women who had started small projects around the world. Of course, one could argue about the sustainability of these projects, they have to be carefully designed, but nonetheless, 

Playing a ball game at recess with the teacher

they often have a lot of value. One such project is happening in Makpandu refugee camp.

Last week, as a part of the assessment which I have been doing, we visited Father Mario. Father Mario is an Italian priest working with Congoloese refugees in Makpandu. He saw that there was an un-met need for a kindergarten and decided to fill it. As you are reading this, about 200 small children come to his school every day. They play games, sing songs, learn the alphabet… basically whatever kids do in kindergarten. His school is completely funded by friends and family. He has a few teachers, and very few school materials. But, the children in his school are the healthiest looking, happiest, brightest children in the camp. Its obvious what a little attention, structure and love can do. So, this is for Father Mario and his amazing students.

Seriously cute kids. The two expat aid workers were a real distraction...

They could all say, "Welcome. How are you?" in english. This was the best behaved group of 4-year olds, ever.

No matter where you are... little brothers will annoy big sisters.

Along with Father Mario, the heroes of the day. These are the schools teachers. The one on the right is probably 8 months pregnant, she had so much energy! It was amazing.