Community-Based Early Childhood Development

We opened our first Community Based Care Centre (CBCC) for early childhood development in Kalolo in October 2001. Designed to provide orphaned children between 0-6yrs living with elderly parents or guardians, particularly those on a low income, with access to early learning skills and activities, the centre initially registered 120 children and 4 volunteer caregivers. It has since grown to over 40 centres in Lilongwe and Ntcheu districts, supporting 3,900 children - orphans and non-orphans - under the guidance of over 180 community volunteers.

OBJECTIVES

•  To promote holistic early childhood development
•  To promote learning and stimulation in early childhood
•  To promote psychosocial care and support
•  To reduce problems of malnutrition and incidences of early deaths

Children registered at our centres attend daily early learning classes in preparation for primary school. The classes are free and sustained by the contributions made by our volunteers, who provide teaching assistance as well as essential food supplies for the children's meals.

As a key part of this pre school programme, trained volunteers are engaged in nutrition and growth monitoring of all the children registered with the centre.