AFTERCARE PROGRAMME
PREAMBLE
We cater for kids aged 6 – 13. They come to the centre when they finish their school day. Our programmes run from 14h30 to 17h00. We do however have warm up activities for those who come in earlier. Our programme includes the following:-1. Bible Study
We are a Christian Centre and all our After Care programmes are as far as possible based on the themes taken from the Bible. We believe that kids understand the Bible better when the stories are presented as a time for special snack - kids literally ‘eat up bible verses’. The kids are encouraged to play with food, and at the same time incorporating message of the scripture of the day. The main reason for the special snack is to bring the kids closer to GOD in a fun and interactive way. Another important factor is the weekly messages that the kids have to try and apply in their lives. All this is done through the snack, food, praise songs, bible activities and bible stories.
2. Recreation
Recreational activities are much helpful in getting kids educated through participation in their usual activities. The contents of these activities are put together with extreme care. The activities are planned to align with the weekly themes, as far as possible. This helps the kids a lot in knowing and remembering various verses. Recreational activities also assist in loosening up the kids for some life skills exercises. The other benefit is to build up friendship among them. 3. Pre Activity
Pre-activity is collection of warm up activities for the kids who arrive early. As soon as we have at least 4 kids we engaged them in activities. We would at this time check if they have homework and then assist them while the rest of the kids trickle in. Pre-activity time gives kids option to choose what game they want to play as well. 4. Computers
We teach kids Basic Computers Skills like computer literacy and typing skill. Each kid gets his/her own educational game as well as computer fun games. Kids find joy in working on the computers. We have observed that once they master certain skills they don’t lose it. The software that the kids use helps them to understand and know how to interact with computers, a skill that will come in very handy for them in future. Because of the limitation computers and computer lessons, we divide the kids into groups and each child gets a chance to sit a computer alone.Bridgman Centre is placed in a poorer neighbourhood. The kids would not under normal circumstance be exposed to computers at home. Our kids are exposed to this rare opportunity of sharpening their skills in this challenging technological world.
5. What is craft?
Craft is the use of skills and imagination in the creation of different objects. It is a skill that can be used practically. One person imagines it, another hand makes it. Pieces of old materials are old papers are used in creating our crafts products. This also teaches kids to be aware of recycling paper and plastics. This becomes they way of contributing towards prevention of global warming. Every child will imagine something different, they will each see a huge variety of images which create a visual introduction to the different discipline within craft and collectively, each maker works in a different way, the materials includes; plastic, toilet rolls, clay, papers etc.
Craft is all about using your hands, our aim of doing craft is to gain skills and to be able to do craft with aesthetic object; so that they will be able to do craft on their own while they are at home, and teach they peers as well. Without buying expensive recourses /materials we re-used (recycle) materials.
6. Fun Activity
Fun Activity is a combination of various fun and educational activities such as Math, English and Science. We call it fun because we want instil in the children’s minds that learning is fun. The aim of Fun Activity is
· To educate the kids in a fun way.
· To create the culture of learning and reading.
· To increase their level of self esteem.
· To help the kids improve their academic results and skills such as reading, counting and writing.
We assist kids by asking them questions based on their school grades as well as on their ability to learn and the stage of learning which the child is at. On Mondays we do Maths questions, Tuesday we do English and Wednesday we normally have Silent reading. Silent reading seeks to assist the kids to be able to read and it also gives them confidence when doing oral reading in front of their peers. It also tests their comprehension skills. On Thursday is a ‘random day.’ We prepare either English or Maths and the kids have the choice of what they want to do or the facilitators choose this based on the child’s educational need.
7. Movies
Every Friday the kids watch movies, and we try by all means to match it with the theme of the week. After watching a movie we ask them questions on how they found the story, the message and what lesson they have learnt. The main purpose of the movie is to test their memory. This session gives them the opportunity to wind off the week and usher them to the weekend.
8. Life Skills
We teach life skills in order to engage in the child’s life and to inform them about what happens to them in their daily life. It also teaches them how to make the right choices in life even at this early stage of their lives because this will help them make the right choice in life. We also teach them general skills of knowledge such as being responsible and how to look after themselves, community and environment. 
