YWCA Rwanda promotes early childhood development for children aged 0-2 years (targeting parents) and 3-6 years in the communities through home based ECDs, community based ECDs, play groups and parent support groups. ECDs allow children have access to community based ECD services, care for children from vulnerable households, and empowerment of community based volunteers/caregivers/parents to promote child care practices.
YWCA integrates positive cultural values through activities of social development, cognitive skills development as well as physical development. We stimulate the play and early learning opportunities of children, promote good health, safety and security and support positive parenting. We train care givers and facilitators on early child development, conduct sensitization campaigns through parenting education on child care, development, protection and health promotion and conduct advocacy for early childhood development support. At the ECD centers, children learn from a safe environment, play with locally made toys made by their parents which are appropriate to their age. Their mental, physical, social, emotional and cognitive development is catered for by the use of a holistic ECD curriculum.
In Kayonza district under the USAID Twiyubake program, 108 ECDs have been supported (89 Home based, 13 Community based and 6 play groups) and these host a total of 2500 children between 3-6 years and those between 0- 2years are supported through the parent support groups. All these age categories receive all the five pillars of Early Childhood Development (School readiness& Early stimulation, Water Hygiene & Sanitation, Nutrition &Health, Child protection & Disability inclusion as well as Positive parenting) with support from community volunteer, caregivers and facilitators. Through parenting groups, more than 2400 parents have been trained on positive parenting which improved community’s parenting environment.
In Ngoma district, YWCA under the USAID Gikuriro program uses the Village Nutrition Schools (VNS) community based approach that helps to rehabilitate malnourished children and prevent future cases of malnutrition. We work with community stakeholders including parent support groups and local leaders to promote sustainability of the ECDs. By working with the community stakeholders, they gain knowledge, learn behaviors to support improved care practices at the household level. Furthermore, through wide stakeholder engagement, through community meetings and home visits, we create a supportive community environment where parents and older siblings can help young children to thrive. This promotes the model of positive masculinity whereby boys and men gain confidence and skills to play an active role in all aspects of children’s upbringing. YWCA has a total of 473 VNS which are hosting 15,927 children and integrating early childhood development package.
Lastly, YWCA is fully committed to ensuring the fulfillment of children’s rights including their rights to protection. We have developed a Child Protection Policy that highlights the rights of children that should be respected by all staff throughout the implementation of all projects and programs.
