From Shy to Shining: How One Girl’s Journey Shows the Power of Early Education

I find myself at one of the 35 Early Childhood Development Centres (ECD) established through the collaborative efforts of World Vision and the Habro District community in the Oromia Region. As someone who documents stories from communities across Ethiopia, I’ve had the chance to witness both the challenges and the quiet transformations happening in places like this.

How early education, when rooted in local ownership, can shift a child’s entire future. This visit is no different. The playground is alive with the laughter and energy of children, a vibrant testament to the positive changes taking place in this district. 

To my left, colourful swings sway gently beside gleaming slides, while to my right, open fields invite kids to play freely during their recess time. As I step into the classroom, I am greeted by a captivating sight: every wall is decorated with pictures of various kinds, each accompanied by names that tell their own stories. Words and letters dance across the surfaces of the walls, and shelves overflow with books of various titles, each promising a world of knowledge for eager young minds ready to explore letters, sounds, numbers, and engaging games. 

Kalkidan, a spirited six-year-old, immediately catches my attention as she concentrates intently on levelling numbers. I approached her with curiosity and asked how much she loves being here. With a bright smile lighting up her face, she exclaims, “I love this place so much! I always want to be here. When I’m here, I get to play all sorts of games, learn about letters and sounds, read exciting stories, level up my numbers, and run around with my friends. It makes me so happy!”  

For years, children aged 3 to 6 in Habro District faced a significant gap in their educational journey, entering grade 1 without the foundational experiences offered by preschool. The absence of Early Childhood Development centres left them unprepared for the rigours of formal schooling, lacking critical social, emotional, and cognitive skills. 

Jemila, a dedicated teacher at this ECD centre, witnesses this gap firsthand. She reflects, “Before these centres were established, children used to join grade 1 without any prior experience in early childhood development. They struggled with socialisation, emotional management, and physical development, making it difficult for them to adjust to the structured environment of formal learning. When Kalkidan first arrived at this ECD centre, she was shy and hesitant to interact with her classmates or teachers. Jemila recalls, “She avoided everyone; her engagement was minimal. I had to encourage her daily to participate in activities.”  

However, after only three months at the centre, Kalkidan transformed dramatically! She became an active and happy learner. "I want to stay in this school forever!" she says with a big smile. "It's where I get to play with my friends! There are so many fun games inside and outside. I can go on the swings and slides all by myself now! And I love playing hide-and-seek!"  

She's mastered basic literacy and numeracy. Now proficient in reading, writing, addition, and subtraction for her age, she displays confidence: "I can identify letters and sounds and read words. I can add numbers and teach others, too."  

Her communication skills have improved as well. Once fearful of speaking up, Kalkidan now confidently interacts with her teachers and classmates. “Now I play and do all my classwork with my friends in class! And my teachers are super nice, they check our work every day and want us to tell them stories about everything. Now I'm not even a little bit scared to talk to them.”  

Kalkidan’s journey is just beginning, but she already has dreams for her future. With a sparkle in her eye, she declares, “I want to be a doctor and treat sick people when I grow up.” 

Thanks to the nurturing environment of the ECD Centre, she and many other children like her are on their way to achieving those dreams, equipped with the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Through the generous support of World Vision child sponsors in Korea, we are now able to reach over 5,000 children with early childhood development programmes. Kassu, the Habro Area Programme Manager, expresses his heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors, saying, “I struggle to find the words to adequately thank you. You have planted a seed that will brighten the future of these children. May God bless you abundantly for all your good deeds,” he exclaimed. 

By Aklilu Kassaye, Field Communication Manager, World Vision Ethiopia