The Government of Rwanda has embraced the Early Childhood Development (ECD) program in 2011 when it approved ECD’s policy. The policy focuses from the pre-conception period, through pregnancy and up to six years of a child’s life, to provide required specific and targeted interventions and services to protect child’s rights for his or her full cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.
Since 2013, ECD’s centers have been established countrywide to fully implement the policy. So far, parents are very confident that the approach is very holistic and productive.
“My child has positively changed. She has developed self-esteem capabilities, politeness and hygiene behaviors. Briefly, he is comprehensively developed” Said Jeanne Mukarukundo who brought her 5 years child at Gikomero ECD, two years ago.
The idea is supplemented by Emerthe Uwababyeyi who has her four years old child in ECD of Nyagatovu in Kayonza District in Eastern province. According to her, the centre has become an excellent learning environment for children.
“My child has acquired knowledge and hygiene behaviors but also how to relate with others. She is really more stimulated than my neighbors’ children who are 7 years old” She pointed out.
Mukarukundo emphasized that ECD is not only an enjoyable learning environment for children but also a safe place to leave a child and work comfortably.
“One of the major challenges I was facing is finding a safe place to leave my young children while working. ECD has solved the problem and I’m very productive than before. ECD is undoubtedly reducing poverty by offering a chance to work freely” She testified.
According to Ignace Muvunyi, the coordinator of Gikomero ECD center in Gasabo District, ECD will certainly change the Rwandan family as it takes care of both children and parents especially the mother.
“We don’t only take care of children. We also empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills they need to support the holistic development of the children under their care.” He confidently remarked.
He explained that all services are provided by well-trained caregivers who use an ECD package of services to assist parents and children. They coach parents with skills to prepare adequate meal with few means and equip them with hygienic and sanitation skills for the welfare of the family.
NCC urges all Rwandans to be part of it
The Executive Secretary of the National commission for Children Dr. Claudine UWERA KANYAMANZA commended the program for being a holistic approach for child development. She urges all parents to embrace the program for the benefit of their children and the society as whole.
“It is a very good program for both parents and children. They have to be part of it to develop our children holistically for their strong foundation for their entire life” She said.
Dr. KANYAMANZA emphasized that the Government of Rwanda is determined to spread and strengthen the program all over the country and urges local government to ensure that the centres are professionally run to protect children from vagabondage, malnutrition, sexual abuse, school dropout and hygienic issues.
The local government officials agree with Dr. KANYAMANZA. Jean Damascene HARERIMANA, the Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, told our reporter that they are committed to support ECD’s centers.
“We are supporting the ECD centers through monitoring how they operate, providing equipment like toys that are used to awaken children’s brains. We also mobilize parents to own ECD program and we are ready to continue” He confirmed.
HARELIMANA added that they plan to build an excellent ECD center in every sector and ordinary centers in every village of Kayonza district.
“Every village must have an ECD center. We are going to make sure that all unoccupied buildings are transformed into ECD facilities” He said.
So far, there are at least 13 model early childhood development centers in 13 districts that host more than 6000 children in total.
