Early childcare, development kits to aid thousands of children, caregivers
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud
Some 5000 children, alongside their parents and caregivers will soon benefit from Early Childcare and Development (ECD) kits that aim to improve the children’s social development.
The Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Friday received a donation of 100 Early Childcare and Development (ECD) kits from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) through funding by the Government of Canada.
Designed to simultaneously serve 50 children, aged zero to six, each kit contains 43 components within one lockable metal box, as well as material for their caregivers.
It provides a range of activities to encourage the development and social interaction of children through playing, story-telling and numeracy, as well as water and sanitation items for their improved health and awareness.
In attendance at the handover ceremony were Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Mark Berman, and UNICEF representatives Nicholas Pron and Irfan Aktar, Human Services Ministry staff and children of the Lovable Friends and Kiskadee Kids Daycare centres.
Minister Persaud expressed her appreciation to the Canadian Government and UNICEF for their long-standing support and partnership with the Ministry.
“Early Childhood development introduces [children] to the world of learning in a very structured and fun way and helps them to develop into children who are ready for the world of school,” Persaud said.
Distribution of Early Childcare and Development (ECD) kits
These kits will be used in the Ministry’s upcoming night care facilities, with training currently being implemented by UNICEF on the proper use of the kits for the children.
Funded by the Canadian Government, this initiative is an ongoing effort to promote safe and healthy learning and living environments to migrant and host communities in Guyana’s hinterland and selected coastal areas.
Launched in 2009, UNICEF introduced these ECD kits to a number of countries to allow children to continue learning and developing key skills despite being caught in conflicts or emergencies.
