Reg 1 children benefit from early childhood development programme
The high-level Canadian delegation pose with regional heads, UNICEF representatives, community health workers and parents at Khan’s Hill Health Post where one of the Early Childhood Development corners is located
Close to 1000 children inclusive of over 300 migrant children in various communities in the Mabaruma Sub District, Region One (Barima-Waini) are beneficiaries of quality early childhood development programmes and family support services.
This was highlighted by representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Guyana during a recent visit to the region.
In a press release issued by UNICEF, it was explained that in 2021, the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development, Canada provided a grant of three million Canadian Dollars to provide a safe and secure environment in Guyana’s hinterland and selected coastal areas, to ensure that children under 4 years old and their parents have access to quality childhood development programmes.
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme is one component of the three-million-dollar project that was realised in several communities within the Mabaruma Sub District such as Hosororo, Mabaruma Central, White Water, Khan’s Hill, Yarakita, and Kamwatta.
Community Health Workers at Khan’s Hill Health Post conduct learning activities with children in the Early Childhood Development corner
During a visit to the Khan’s Hill Health Post by the team from Canada, UNICEF and regional officers, Community Health Worker Theresa Singh spoke about the benefits the ECD programme provides in the community.
“I have learned a lot through this programme. It is a very good thing within this community. Children are bolder and have an increased interest in learning and wanting to go to school,” Singh remarked.
“We have also seen increased communication with parent and child…both children and parent work to help each other in the space especially when they come to the clinic. It also helped me personally with my daughter and my nieces…we were taught that as we develop, we should take our learnings to other communities and engage them so others can benefit,” she added.
The Early Childhood Development corner at Khan’s Hill Health post in Region One
Singh explained that Khan’s Hill Health Post was frequented by many migrant families in the area. Though many have moved to other communities, the remaining migrants continue to utilise the space, with many children now at the nursery level. With concerns about the language gap, she noted that the majority of the migrants understand English in the area.
Parents at the event also lauded the programme, noting that it has contributed to their children learning colours, shapes, and numbers to name a few.
Also boasting of the benefits of the programme was Regional Health Officer, Dr Steven Cheefoon, who explained that the region worked rigorously with UNICEF Guyana to implement posts for the ECD programme at some border points of entry within the region to better integrate children into the schools.
“Our matriculation rate from 2021 to now has seen quite an improvement from 12 per cent to 17 per cent. Thanks to this programme we are able to see more children in schools who are more in a state of readiness to start school, including two autistic children. Because of this partnership with the Canadian Government and UNICEF, we have been able to accelerate development within this region,” Cheefoon said.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Canada, Maninder Sidhu while at the health post noted that, “Canada is proud to support the project, in partnership with UNICEF, to improve access to health and education for boys and girls in hinterland communities in Guyana.”
UNICEF Guyana also took the opportunity to express its sincere appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development, Canada. “We are grateful for your generous contribution to children and parents of migrant and host communities in the hinterland and select coastal regions and we look forward to future collaboration with the Canadian government,” said Adolescent Development Officer at UNICEF, Jewel Crosse.
To date, 13 health workers have been trained and 804 community stakeholders in Region One have benefitted from ECD parenting sessions facilitated by UNICEF Guyana, and have integrated the ECD strategies into their daily routines.
The programme emphasises nurturing care and early stimulation and aims to ensure children, particularly the most vulnerable, have the best start in life.
