Some children in Zomba have been missing out on quality early lear ning because of shortages of caregivers, food and play materials. A new initiative is offering hope to families struggling to give their children a better start.
Her Liberty has employed six caregivers, each earning K100,000 a month, under an Early Childhood Development (ECD) project targeting gaps in the district.
Zomba District Council ECD Coordinator Jane Majawa said the initiative would help address challenges that have affected ECD centres, including poor caregiver pay, inadequate training and a lack of meals and play materials for children.
She welcomed the project during a meeting of the Child Protection Technical Working Group at the council, where Her Liberty presented its implementation plans.
“The coming of this ECD project to Zomba will help us address some of the gaps that have existed, including a shortage of play materials for children, payment of caregivers and many other challenges,” said Majawa.
Majawa said better payments could motivate caregivers to remain in their jobs and improve the care they provide to children.
She added that the council would offer guidance and support to ensure the project succeeds.
Her Liberty ECD Project Lead Martha Mpangala said the organisation decided to introduce the initiative after identifying a shortage of ECD centres in Mussa Village under Senior Chief Mwambo.
Mpangala said the six caregivers had been employed to help strengthen early childhood services in the area.
She said the monthly honorarium of K100,000 for each caregiver was intended to reduce staff turnover and encourage them to remain committed to their work.
The initiative was presented to the Child Protection Technical Working Group, which brings together organisations and government offices working to protect children and support their development.
Other organizations represented at the meeting included Youth for Development and Productivity (YODEP), SAFE, Nditha Foundation, the Malawi Council for Disabilities (MACODA), the Social Welfare Office, Gender Office, Youth Office, Community Development Office, Bwalo Initiative and YONECO, among others.
