Early Childhood Development is one of the programs that Needed Actions for Community Care and Development –NACC implements targeting 175 ECD centres in Jalasi, Katuli and Bwananyambi in Mangochi district. Through this program, NACC has constructed 18 ECD centres since its establishment on 13th November, 1996.
Early Childhood Development is one of the programs that Needed Actions for Community Care and Development –NACC implements targeting 175 ECD centres in Jalasi, Katuli and Bwananyambi in Mangochi district. Through this program, NACC has constructed 18 ECD centres since its establishment on 13th November, 1996.
The ECD centres which are in Mangochi District in TAs Jalasi, Bwananyambi and Katuli include Graziano, Balakasi, Ntanga, Ngawo, Kachere, Mchengawede, Chilongo, Nakapa, Kachere, Mchengawede, Chilongo, Nakapa, Kwitunji, Chingwenya, Somba, Mwaiwathu, Tigwirizane, Mpwakata Namalimwe CBCCs. The construction of the centres started in 1998 up to 2023 with Graziano being the oldest and Namalimwe being the latest.
NACC executive Director, Saeed Wame says the construction of the centres came due to devastating status that most centres were in while in some areas no ECD centre initiative existed.
The centres were constructed with communities contributing land and labour while other partners like Firelight Foundation, MASAF, UNICEF, World Connect and Friends of Malawi supported with the rest.
“Before this structure, we were using a grass thatched shade which had its own challenges during rainfall to the point of suspending classes, we thank NACC for constructing these classrooms which have enabled us to sustain the centre come rain or sunshine” appreciated Luckia Jongwe, a caregiver at Chingwenya CBCC.
Concurring with Jongwe is Ahamad Disi, Executive Director for Ndengu CBO who played a key role in construction of Namalimwe CBCC at Luchichi, their catchment area.
“We never imagined of having a model CBCC in our area being it a hard to reach. We had moulded bricks hoping for a good Samaritan and thankfully NACC stepped in. We used to have children compacted in mud had but now they are learning freely.” Disi said.
One thing that stands out in NACC’s construction projects is meaningful community involvement and contribution which helps in sustainability of initiatives.
“NACC does not just impose projects on us but we work together, and we as a community are on the forefront. We contribute land and labour and we also solicit resources within the communities like politicians and business people” Said Stompie Namwera, Chingwenya ADC chair.
“We are grateful to all our donors and stakeholders at various levels who have made this a dream come true, we wish we could have good infrastructure at all the 175 ECD centres that we are supporting but resources just limit us. We look forward to sourcing more funds and construct g more ECD centres,” Added Saeed Wame, NACC Executive Director.