Project Background
This project was focused on improving the wellbeing and learning opportunities for the most marginalised children from Amhara in the northern highlands of Ethiopia, by supporting parents and guardians to act to improve the development of children 0-8 years. A key component of this project is a Donkey Mobile Library, which aims to achieve improved learning opportunities and open the imaginations of hundreds of children.
Similar to mobile libraries common in Australia, the Donkey Mobile Library addresses the urgent need for books in rural Ethiopia. The donkey-pulled cart holds a treasure trove of books, has space to store stools for seating, and contains a special compartment for food for the donkey. When the library visits a school, it’s parked under a big tree, and enough stools are placed in the shade for up to 200 children to sit.
Key Project Outcomes
Strong progress has been achieved by parents and guardians taking action to improve the development of their children, shown by observed changes in parenting practice such as: improved hygiene practices, providing a more balanced diet, making homemade toys for stimulating children, and accompanying children to Early Learning Centers.
Some key program successes are:
- This year, 907 children (402 boys and 505 girls) attended early learning programs
- The mobile Donkey Library reached 620 out of school children in remote and rural areas, increasing literacy levels and access to books
- 2 new community-managed centers were established
- 10 children with disabilities were enrolled in Early Learning programs and provided with necessary support (such as wheelchairs)
- The total number of children directly benefiting from this project increased to 3,273 in this iteration
- 109 parents participated in the parenting program
- To ensure children transition successfully into primary school, visits were exchanged and experiences shared with 7 local primary schools. 383 children (224 girls and 169 boys) completed Early Childhood center programs and started primary school this year
Training Provided
In addition to the above stats;
- 75 people received training in disability inclusion
- 26 Early Childhood caregivers and partners were trained on gender inclusion and 26 female caregivers were trained in facillitation skills, toy production, classroom organisation, disability inclusion, child protection and gender equality
- Two Donkey Library attendants received training in play-based approaches to literacy, promoting the joy of reading.
Attitudes Within the Community
- The sense of ownership and empowerment felt by parents and communities is clear and participation has been very strong.
- Communities themselves provided the land and labour to build the two newest Early Childhood Learning Centers and produce and repair play equipment.
- Communities were impressed that local elders’ stories were transcribed, illustrated and published as books for the mobile Donkey Library.
What's Next?
As this is the final year of funding, Plan International has worked to ensure that this project is sustainable at the grassroots level. This is achieved through promoting peer leadership, examples of positive parenting behaviour change, social networking and wider community sharing of lessons learnt.
Project Background
Ethiopia has a really low preschool enrolment rate (just 5.2%) which contributes to significant school drop outs among early primary school students (18% in grade one and two nationally). It’s a huge issue that early childhood interventions can tackle. The region of Amhara (Bahir Dar zuria district) was selected due to its poor access to health and education services, and its high proportion of the population under the age of 14 years (greater than 50%).
The government of Ethiopia has pledged to work towards increasing and enhancing Early Childhood Development back in 2010 yet the provision of this important childhood development step is yet to be developed in all areas of Ethiopia. Children in this pre-school age group experience the most rapid period of growth and change during the human lifespan in terms of their maturing bodies and nervous systems, their increasing mobility, communication skills, intellectual capacities and socio-emotional development, and rapid shifts in their interests and abilities. Young children’s earliest years are the foundation for their future physical and mental health, emotional security, cultural and personal identity, and competencies.
Project Overview
This is a five year project, and is entering its final year of operation with a remaining budget of $180,000 required this financial year. This project cost will supply literacy materials including books, toy making workshops, child protection, and parenting education which includes child health information.
A key characteristic of this project is the involvement of parents and guardians in that they are educated in the importance of early childhood development practices and child health care. The objective is that positive parenting behaviour change will continue for generations and amongst peers, making this a truly sustainable project.
The project is implemented in partnership with two local development partners - Ratson Child, Youth and Women Development Program and Development Expertise Centre – both of whom have practical experience in implementing community based development initiatives.
A low cost approach to early learning programs will mean that communities can take economic leadership of Early Childhood Development centre’s management.
As this is the final year of funding, Plan International is working to ensure that this policy and knowledge is operationalised at the grassroots level, and also addresses social sustainability related to early childhood through promoting peer leadership, examples of positive parenting behaviour change, social networking and wider community sharing of lessons learnt. This sustainable model is what Plan International strives to achieve in all communities we operate in.
Project Aim
The project focuses on improving the wellbeing and learning opportunities for the most marginalised children in the northern highlands, Amhara (Andassa) by supporting parents and guardians to act to improve the development of children 0-8 years. In rural Ethiopia the lack of preschools and long distances to reach these, combined with the low economic status of families in these locations creates a demand for resources such as the Donkey Mobile Library.
A key component of this project is a Donkey Mobile Library, which aims to achieve improved learning opportunities and open the imaginations of hundreds of children. Similar to mobile libraries common in Australia, the Donkey Mobile Library addresses the urgent need for books in rural Ethiopia. The donkey-pulled cart holds a treasure trove of books, has space to store stools for seating, and contains a special compartment for food for the donkey. When the library visits a school, it’s parked under a big tree, and enough stools are placed in the shade for up to 200 children to sit.
Other Key Aims:
- Parents and guardians guided to take action to improve the development (including care, learning and protection) of children aged 0-8 years;
- All children aged 4-6 years participate in quality and inclusive early learning programs that promote physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, and language skills;
- Effective school and community support is in place to ensure successful transitions to primary school.
- The project also supports the development of government officials’ capacity in this space and works to improve legislation and enforcement of policies and laws to protect and support early child development in Ethiopia.
Key Project Outcomes
- 1,974 children benefit from early childhood development, pre-primary preparation schooling and transition programs
- Support 13 Early Childhood Learning Centres
- 1,480 Parenting Group Members participating in regular parenting sessions to improve knowledge and skills to support holistic child development
- Train 65 early learning and primary school teachers in early learning programs
How was it this funded?
Thanks to hundreds of tiny donations from these online businesses and their customers.
- World Nomads USA
- World Nomads Canada
- www.WorldNomads.com
- ***World Nomads UK
- World Nomads Australia
- World Nomads NZ
Put simply, we’re the charity
for girls’ equality.
We tackle the root causes of
poverty, support communities through crises, campaign for gender equality, and
help governments do what’s right for children and particularly for girls. We
are a secular organisation with no religious or political affiliations.We believe a better world is
possible. An equal world; a world where all children can live happy and healthy
lives, and where girls can take their rightful place as equals.
Visit: plan.org.au