Parachichi Montessori Preschool is located in Kansanga a suburb of the capital city, Kampala. Founded in February, 2020 by Irene Ngaiza Rutega with Caroline Mpyisi, for children between the ages of 2 to 6 years old.

Parachichi (Swahili for the Avocado fruit) began as an idea conceived by Irene while she was working at a Christian preschool in Beijing, China in 2018. At that time, she and her husband had been working in China since 2003 with their 4 children which sparked her passion for education. So, upon returning home to Uganda, she began the process of opening a school of her own.

In Uganda, Irene reconnected with her childhood friend, Caroline Mpyisi who has over 20 years experience in Montessori education. It was then in February 2020 they came together to start the Parachichi school. After delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the school opened its doors in August to welcome its first group of early learners, following the operating procedures of the Ministry of Health.

The Parachichi Montessori Pre-school provides 5 full-day programs which include core curricular materials, including dance (ballet and/ or traditional), Taekwondo and Swahili as a second language. Irene adds, “Here at Parachichi we have decided to make as many of the didactic materials us-ing local, natural resources and by engaging recycling techniques. We are so happy with the results thus far, as the materials are helping to make our school uniquely Ugandan. For example the Montessori Math Bead equipment is crafted by a woman’s group that painstakingly make the beads to our specifications.”

Irene also employs local wood-working artisans, stating, “We have engaged the skills of a Youth Carpentry Workshop to make other learning materials such as the Pink Tower, Brown Stair and Red Rods. Working together with community groups to create the materials has enabled us to share and spread the word about the Montessori Philosophy and Methodology. Apart from shaping our identity as a Montessori school in Uganda, it has highlighted the potential to have relatively low cost, quality materials more readily available for the children.”

Irene notes that the school has a garden for outdoor games and learning. She says, “This season the children have planted maize, beans, pumpkin and dodo (spinach-type). We look forward to also seeing our flower garden bloom!”
Irene also states that Parachichi has a vision to be able to positively impact Early Learning Care and Education in Uganda. She says, “While we are located in the capital city Kampala, we are initiating outreach programs for rural schools. We plan to present Continuous Professional Development Workshops for Teachers and thus promote the implementation of the Montessori Approach in schools. Approximately 70% of Uganda’s population live in rural areas hence the urgency and need to address Early Childhood Education across the nation….we seek to be part of the push for best practices in schools in our country Uganda.”

Contact: Parachichi Montessori Preschool, Kampala Uganda, www.parachichimps.com. Email: parachichimps.edu@gmail.com, Tel. +256 774 707719

Mamaya Montessori Nursery and Creche