Back ground
Malezi Kamilifu is an integrated Early Childhood Development project targeting children under five years and their caregivers in Kilifi county. Early Childhood development is important in building strong foundation for cognitive, socio emotional and healthy development that maximizes on the child’s learning potential. The Kilifi County ECD situational analysis report (Kilifi CIDP 2018-2022), notes that transition rates from pre-school to primary is at a low of 45%. This is attributed to various contextual challenges faced by young mothers and caregivers of children below five years such as high levels of poverty, poor access to health care, inadequate and ill equipped ECD centres, and negative cultural practices.
Malezi Kamilifu project aims at strengthening community-based systems in Kilifi County to improve integrated childhood development, targeting children under five and their caregivers. It also aims at empowering caregivers and frontline community workforce to address gender and structural barriers, and build economic resilience for the young mothers.
Project’s interventions include community sensitization on the importance of optimal early childhood development and learning, child protection, case management, child education and stimulation, Child friendly learning and development environment, Disability assessment for the children living with disabilities and economic empowerment for young mothers and care givers.
Under Malezi kamilifu project, AMURT works with the Department of Children Services, Ministry of Health, Kilifi county department of Education and other stakeholders.