The Arise and Shine ECD program was started by a compassionate woman named Beatrice who, like many of our partners, saw a need and wanted to do something to address it. After retiring from her position as a school teacher, she noticed children in her community were not attending any ECD programs to prepare them for school, so she started a program for less fortunate children in her home.  

Shortly after, Beatrice and her husband Alex decided to sell Beatrice's pension and use the funds to build a classroom for the children and took in 45 children between the ages of 2-6. Many of these children do not have parents but are cared for by a guardian/family member.  

Thanks to donations from VOH the school is now expanded to four classes, a kitchen/dining hall, a sturdy playground, clean latrines and wash houses, a fresh water well, stipends for teachers and cook and up to date curriculum.