K18m for ECD in Mangochi
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (Osisa) has provided $25 000 (about K18 million) for an early stimulation and transition of children with special needs in Traditional Authority (T/A) Bwananyambi in Mangochi.
Programmes manager for Association of Early Childhood Development in Malawi (AECDM), Maureen Katola, said the initiative will target children up to Standard Three in 10 community based child-care centres (CBCCCs).
“The goal of the project is basically to achieve early stimulation for children with special needs while building the capacity of care-givers from the selected CBCCCs, especially in management of children with disabilities,” she said.
Katola said some of the activities under the programme will include mentor training of care-givers and committees in early childhood development and disability.
She assured that the project has put in place a sustainability plan which would attempt to consolidate the efforts realised from the interventions.
District commissioner for Mangochi, Jack Nguluwe, commended the association for considering T/A Bwananyambi’s area.
He, however, said it was the duty of every citizen to sensitise communities to make sure that children with special needs interact with their friends.
Mangochi social welfare assistant, Isaac Machinjiri said Bwananyambi has high number of children with disabilities who don’t have access to early childhood education services.
