AID agreement no. 674-0302-G-SS-1009-00 with Ntataise Rural Preschool Development Trust to support the preschool outreach program into the farming communities around Middleburg, Transvaal and the Bethlehem area of the Orange Free State

Ntataise establishes preschools in response to commitment from a minimum of 20 farm owners in a given region who are willing to support preschools for their farmworkers" children. Ntataise then provides training to preschool teachers, parents, and community leaders. The responsibility of the farm owner is to pay the preschool teacher"s salary, contribute to the cost of his/her training, and provide a building or location for the preschool. The farm owner"s wife acts in an honorary advisor position to provide administrative and other support. The grant will fund the cost of establishing preschools in the platteland of the Transvaal and the eastern Orange Free State. Funds will cover salaries, training, and travel for two trainers; petrol for the trainers and honorary advisors; and educational equipment. Training will also be provided to farm owners" wives in preschool management and child care. This component is expected to involve 20 schools in each region, with an average of 20 children in each school. Funds will also be provided for: (1) the development of a trainer of trainers course (about 15 trainers will be trained in the first year); (2) a part-time health educator/nurse to provide training for trainers and to visit preschools; (3) computerization of Ntataise financial systems; and (4) administrative costs.