Our Story
Transforming lives through early childhood education, one community at a time.
A calling that began with faith…
In the 1990s, Hugh and Juliet Shelbourne founded Watchmen International with a heartfelt mission: to serve rural churches across East Africa and help people grow in faith, grace, and spiritual strength.
…grew into holistic impact
What started as a spiritual mission has grown into a movement that supports communities through
SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION
Character developmentAFRICA YOUTH AWARD
Youth discipleshipLIFEWATER
Clean water solutionsNURSERY SCHOOLS
Education
WHY NURSERY SCHOOLS
In many communities, children were growing up without access to early education.
This reality sparked a response among the founders.
Pastors were encouraged to establish nursery schools within their communities- creating spaces where children could learn, grow, and belong.
WALKING ALONGSIDE COMMUNITIES
Watchmen Schools came alongside these local efforts by helping to provide daily meals for students, contributing to teacher salaries, covering school fees for the most vulnerable families, and supplying educational materials and training for teachers.
Parent committees were established to support school leadership, and a Watchmen Schools Coordinator was appointed to ensure accountability, visit schools regularly, and organise annual teacher training.
Equipping Teachers, Transforming Classrooms
Through partnerships with Zoo-phonics, Inc., which provided a curriculum to support English language learning in nursery schools, and with ongoing training, teachers have gained practical skills in lesson planning, classroom management, and child development. Many began with little experience, but today they are confident educators shaping lives with dedication and care.
Watchmen Nursery Schools story is a story of hope:
Transforming children, families, and churches through the gift of early education.
In places where many would not afford learning, the support given equips schools to give children care, dignity, and a chance at a brighter future—one child at a time.
More than school
The support Watchmen Schools offers equips teachers and parents to facilitate children growth in every way.
BUILD CONFIDENCE
DISCOVER JOY
DEVELOP STRONG VALUES
PREPARE FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION
Your support today can support a child’s future