Zomba churches urged to build ECD centres

Churches and other organisations in Zomba have been challenged to help bring Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres closer to children in communities.

Zomba District Social Welfare Officer Christopher Ndaona says many children could benefit from early learning if more ECD centres were established in areas where families currently have limited access.

Ndaona made the remarks during a farewell party for 60 learners from 6 ECD Centers run by the Area Initiative for the Youngsters Development Opportunity (AIYDO) in the area of Senior Chief Malemia in Zomba District.

The farewell party was organized by AIYDO and was for 60 learners from 6 ECD Centers under the organization, who are expected to start Standard 1 on 14 September this year.

He said that ECD Centers are very few in Zomba District, and therefore it is important for churches and organizations to assist the government by building more schools so that many children can have the opportunity to begin their education at an early age.

Ndaona added that ECD Centers are very important because children learn how to read and write, and their thinking abilities develop quickly.

The Social Welfare Officer also urged churches and community members to support volunteer caregivers who teach the children by giving them small tokens of appreciation so they can afford basic needs such as soap, since they are not paid.

He also thanked AIYDO for organizing the event and for supporting young children in their education.

“A child as young as three years old should start attending ECD Centers because they learn many things such as writing, and their thinking ability develops quickly,” he said.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of AIYDO, Issa Imedi Jafari, thanked Partners in Action for Sustainable Development (PASD) for supporting their organization with food provided to children in all their ECD Centers.

Imedi Jafari also expressed gratitude to Kate Ramsden and Danny Phillips from Scotland for financially supporting the organization’s operations and its ECD Centers programs.

He assured parents in the area of Senior Chief Malemia that the organization will continue its work of providing early childhood education through ECD Centers.