Zomba NGO trains caregivers to improve early childhood development
YODEP's caregiver training program has made a substantial contribution to enhancing early childhood development outcomes in the Zomba district.
ZOMBA, Malawi — Youth for Development and Productivity (YODEP), a Zomba-based non-profit organisation dedicated to the well-being of children and youth, has been actively promoting the work of carers in community-based care centres (CBCCs) since 2009, writes Thabit Mussa.
Through comprehensive carer training programmes, YODEP has empowered carers from over 50 CBCCs, fostering progress in early childhood development (ECD) efforts within the district.
Founded in 1998, YODEP is committed to addressing critical challenges facing children and youth, including poverty, malnutrition, ignorance, and HIV/AIDS.
Recognizing the pivotal role of caregivers in shaping the early development of children, the organization initiated the caregiver training project to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge.
"Caregivers in CBCCs, who are often volunteers from the local community, frequently lack the skills and knowledge of effective caregiving practices," explained McBlessings Buda, Executive Director of YODEP. "Their approach to handling and teaching children often falls short, hindering their overall development."
YODEP's caregiver training program addresses this gap by providing comprehensive instruction on various aspects of early childhood development. Caregivers are guided on fostering mental, physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth in the children they care for.
Additionally, they are introduced to innovative caregiving techniques that ensure preschoolers develop early literacy and numeracy skills before transitioning to primary school.
Sausyeje Mbwana, a caregiver at Tigwirizane CBCC in Zomba district, exemplifies the positive impact of YODEP's training initiatives.
She expressed her gratitude for the knowledge and skills gained, emphasizing how it has transformed her approach to caregiving.
"The caregiver trainings conducted by YODEP have equipped me and others with the skills to effectively support the development of preschoolers," Mbwana stated.
"We are taught about innovative caregiving methods that ensure children start reading and calculating well before entering standard one."
The training program includes the distribution of tablets equipped with caregiving guidelines and assessment tools specifically designed for evaluating the readiness of five-year-olds for standard one.
Mbwana highlighted the benefits of this aspect of the training, noting that it has significantly improved the transition of CBCC graduates to primary school.
Zainabu Mbwana, a 16-year-old former student at Tigwirizane CBCC and Sausyeje Mbwana's daughter, is a testament to the effectiveness of YODEP's caregiver training.
Currently in Form Three at Nsala Community-Day Secondary School, Zainabu has consistently excelled academically since her primary school days.
Echoing Mbwana's sentiments, Mr. Edgar Kumbanga, a caregiver at YODEP's main center in Zomba, expressed his appreciation for the profound impact of the training on his caregiving practices.
"Since completing the caregiver training, I have witnessed a remarkable and significant improvement in the way we handle children at CBCCs," Kumbanga remarked. "I am immensely grateful for these trainings."
While YODEP's efforts have reached a significant number of caregivers, the frequency of training sessions remains limited due to funding constraints.
The organization relies heavily on donor support, and the lack of adequate funding hinders the expansion of the training program.
"Many caregivers in our CBCCs have not had the opportunity to participate in the caregiver training due to the extended intervals between trainings," expressed Daniel Kachere, a Field Facilitator for YODEP.
"We would be incredibly grateful for increased funding to conduct the trainings more regularly, ensuring that all caregivers in CBCCs are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively support early childhood development."
YODEP's caregiver training program has made a substantial contribution to enhancing early childhood development outcomes in the Zomba district.
By empowering caregivers with the necessary skills and knowledge, the organization is laying a solid foundation for the future success of the children under their care.