Latest Breaking News On - Early childhood development center - Page 1 : vimarsana.com
At the Early Childhood Development Center "Les Poupons", located in the Ségou region, Aissata is an instructor in charge of middle section A. Each morning, along with five other instructors, she warmly welcomes 289 children between the ages of 3 and 5. Nearly half of these children are girls, who will grow up to become mothers in the future. Once the children have settled in, Aissata proceeds to middle section A, where the eager children await her arrival. Today's lesson revolves around educating the children about the nutritional value of various vegetables and fruits they consume daily. Aissata employs a range of educational tools, including visual aids, drawings, enjoyable games, songs, stories, and anecdotes, to effectively convey the message to the children. The children are clearly taking these lessons to heart. "Fruits and vegetables are crucial for children,” 4-year-old Fadimata proudly explains. “They help us grow properly, provide us with essential vitamins, and keep us healthy. Ever since my teacher informed me that carrots are beneficial for my eyesight, I now eat them frequently, even though I didn't like them before. However, it is important to thoroughly wash all vegetables and fruits before consuming them to prevent stomach discomfort." The NAFAMA project, as its name suggests, brings immense benefits to our communities. It not only enhances the nutritional status of women and children but also enables families to reduce healthcare expenses and give birth to healthy and fulfilled children.Mrs. Sylla Fatoumata Ousmane MaigaThe nutritional situation of women, adolescent girls, and children under 5 years old in Mali remains precarious, with certain regions of the country experiencing alarming conditions. Access to nutritious food is challenging for these vulnerable groups. The limited variety in the diets of adolescent girls and women is a cause for concern. The persistently high rate of acute malnutrition among children (10.8% according to the SMART 2022 survey) and the prevalence of anemia among women and adolescents (approximately 63%) further exacerbate the issue.In Ségou, one of the regions with the highest malnutrition rates in Mali, a community-driven initiative has been implemented to enhance the nutritional well-being of children, adolescent girls, and women. The establishment of Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) and the promotion of healthy nutrition within the community have positively impacted the lives of numerous individuals, leading to an overall improvement in their well-being. This community-based approach exemplifies the beneficial outcomes of the NAFAMA project. Mrs. Sylla Fatoumata Ousmane Maiga, an educational advisor responsible for early childhood and special education at the Ségou Educational Animation Center, highlights the significance of the NAFAMA project. "The NAFAMA project, as its name suggests, brings immense benefits to our communities,” she says. “It not only enhances the nutritional status of women and children but also enables families to reduce healthcare expenses and give birth to healthy and fulfilled children."To enhance the well-being and health of women, children, and adolescent girls, community platforms have been established to provide integrated services. These platforms prioritize gender equality and encompass critical areas such as health, nutrition, hygiene, education, Early Childhood Development, and child protection. The NAFAMA project combines interactive educational sessions with practical nutrition workshops. The aim is to promote healthy eating behaviors within communities, with active involvement from the community members. Fadimata, who is already an advocate for promoting good nutrition and hygiene practices, extends her message beyond the centre – she also spreads awareness among her family and friends in the local community. "Fadimata constantly returns from the garden with newfound knowledge,” her mother says. “Today, she enlightened me about the significance of handwashing, thoroughly cleaning vegetables and fruits before consumption, and impressed me by discussing the vitamins they possess."The NAFAMA project, "Improving the nutritional status of women, girls, and children under five in vulnerable situations in Mali", is an important initiative supported by UNICEF and by Canada. As a part of this project, 300 supervisors specializing in early childhood development were trained in the regions of Mopti, Ségou, and Timbuktu. These supervisors were equipped with training materials and information resources on nutrition to enhance their capacity to support good nutrition among children and families. Furthermore, the project also extended its reach to local communities by raising awareness among over 300,000 supervisors responsible for children under the age of five, with the aim of promoting Essential Family Practices, Food and Nutrition for Young Children, as well as psycho-cognitive stimulation for children. At the Early Childhood Development Centre that Fadimata attends, these efforts have directly impacted the supervisors working with children by providing them with valuable resources and knowledge. Consequently, children like Fadimata now benefit from increased attention to their health and nutrition, two vital factors in their overall growth and development. This story was originally published on unicef.org.
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