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Early childhood
development through
active learning and play
Benin and Burkina Faso

The LEGO Foundation and
BRNEfonden collaborate to improve
early childhood development through
active learning and play.



Project overview
Objectives The purpose of the project is to use LEGO bricks as a learning and teaching
tool in existing preschools and other sites gathering small children in the
areas of Burkina Faso and Benin where BRNEfonden operates and in so
doing, enhancing childrens physical, intellectual, and psycho-social
development and their readiness for elementary school.

In Burkina Faso, the project will equip and train preschool teachers in 66
preschools as well as 124 nutritionists. In Benin, the project will equip and
train preschool teachers in 235 preschools.

Beneficiaries 27,000 children aged 0-7.

Period 2012
A second donation of 1,200 LEGO Charity boxes will be sent to Mali, Togo,
and Cape Verde in 2013.

Project budget USD 520,000

Our contribution Donation of 1,200 LEGO DUPLO Play Boxes and teaching material.

Partner(s) BRNEfonden
The LEGO Foundation, Koldingvej 2, DK-7190 Billund
www.LEGOfoundation.com




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Project summary
Issue Very few preschools exist in the rural areas of Burkina Faso and Benin, and
preschool enrollment is as low as 2.7% (Burkina Faso) and 11.3% (Benin).
Moreover, existing preschools are most often poorly equipped and lack both
pedagogical skills and tools for creating enabling learning environments. Since
the mid-90s, BRNEfonden has been working in the two countries in
collaboration with school authorities and social affairs to improve preschool
access.

The preschools which will benefit from the project are situated in the rural
areas of Benin where BRNEfonden operates through an administrative unit,
the Development Unit.

Project description The project will allow BRNEfonden to reinforce existing work to improve
quality within their education program:
Equipping preschools with new inspirational learning opportunities for
children
Building preschool teachers capacity in using new pedagogical methods
Strengthening the motivation of preschool teachers
Gaining experience in how to use alternative pedagogical methods based on
the LEGO Education principles.

Anticipated impact Positive effect on childrens learning capacities: physical, intellectual, and
psycho-social development, self-esteem and readiness for elementary school.
Creating ownership among stakeholders to ensure that the activities are
sustainable.
Encouraging local authorities and other stakeholders in the field to be more
active in relation to childrens care to improve their capacity for better
schooling in the future.


Related projects Donation in 2013 to Mali, Togo and Cape Verde

Contact person Jette Orduna, Head of Program, Jette.Orduna@LEGO.com