Unicef hands over early childhood development hubs in Chongwe
The K1.4 million hubs will provide opportunities for children in the two communities to receive nurturing care interventions that will help them grow and reach their full developmental potential.
Zambia: UNICEF has officially handed over to the Zambian Government two Community Based Integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) hubs known locally as Insakas in Chongwe District's Chibombe and Kasubanya villages.
The K1.4 million hubs will provide opportunities for children in the two communities to receive nurturing care interventions that will help them grow and reach their full developmental potential.
During the handover ceremony, Community Development and Social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba read a speech on behalf of Health Minister Silvia Masebo, in which Ms Masebo stated that the government has prioritised a multi-sectoral approach to responding to various Early Childhood Development issues.
The Minister described the construction of the ECD hubs as a progressive step, emphasising that the facilities will help address some of the issues affecting children, such as malnutrition.
“The infrastructure has taken care of all key elements such as a nutrition block where nutrition counselling sessions will be provided and this will go a long way in empowering caregivers with knowledge on how to prepare age-appropriate nutritious meals for children,” Ms. Masebo said.
Ms. Mwamba also expressed confidence that the hubs will aid in the eradication of heinous crimes against children such as child neglect and abuse.
“As of May 2022, there were 6,582 children placed in different childcare facilities across the country, some children were either neglected, abused, dumped or abandoned,” she said.
Meanwhile, UNICEF Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Mohamed Malick Fall praised the government for taking important steps, such as passing the Children's Code Act, to ensure that every Zambian child has a bright future.
Mr. Fall also reaffirmed UNICEF's commitment to assisting Zambian Early Childhood Development programmes.
And Headman Amos Chibombe of Chibombe village thanked the government and its cooperating partners, UNICEF and World Vision for the hubs on behalf of the two villages.
Headman Chibombe assured that the traditional leadership would protect and use the infrastructures for their intended purposes.
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