We often wonder whether early interventions done at Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres really count later in one’s life. Sakina Dinness, a 24-year-old Primary School teacher who hails from Mataka village, TA Jalasi in Mangochi district testifies of ECD impact as she vividly recalls her years at Balakasi (ECD) centre and how they shaped her entire life.
We often wonder whether early interventions done at Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres really count later in one’s life. Sakina Dinness, a 24-year-old Primary School teacher who hails from Mataka village, TA Jalasi in Mangochi district testifies of ECD impact as she vividly recalls her years at Balakasi (ECD) centre and how they shaped her entire life.
Her parents were just subsistence farmers who used to spend much of their time working in the fields such that they could not afford enough food and other basic necessities.
Dinness went to one of NACC’s supported ECD centres, Balakasi Community Based Child Care Centre (CBCC) from 2003. Dinnes recalls that she managed to persist with all the years at the CBCC because of the food that was provided and friendly learning environment.
“I still remember that NACC used to come to the CBCC with Likuni Phala which was prepared and shared among us at the center. Sometimes NACC brought sweets and biscuits for us. I really enjoyed the food that I did not think of being absent for a day.” She recalls.
Dinness said that the play-based learning at the ECD center shaped educational foundation which helped her perform better at primary school.
She graduated from the ECD centre to Majuni primary school in 2006 to start standard one. Dinness said Balakasi CBCC kept track of their students and offered continuous support even after their students graduate from the centre.
“I can never forget to thank my CBCC caregivers who shaped my future. I just remember mama Sakina Bwanali as one of them who after graduating from that CBCC, continued supporting me while I was in primary school as she was a Mother Support Group Chairperson at that my primary school” Appreciates Sakina.
She sat for her Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE) in 2012 and got selected to Majuni secondary school. Dinness used to commute for almost 4 Kilometres daily to and from her secondary school besides being discouraged by some members of her community. She said the strong foundation from the ECD centre kept her going. She then sat for her Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) in 2016. She furthered her education at Mariam Teachers’ Training College and qualified as a primary school teacher. She is now working at Kwilembe primary school.
“I am now a role model in my community, all thanks to the good foundation I received from Balakasi ECD centre” She said.