Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid (NCA-DCA) has handed over an early childhood development (ECD) centre at Dama in Traditional Authority Dambe in Mchinji to promote early learning under the Transformation Programme.
Speaking on Thursday during the handover, NCA country director Stefan Jansen said they have implemented several projects under the programme to improve people’s livelihoods.
He said: “The programme’s aim is to improve people’s livelihoods by providing them with permanent projects. The overall goal is to transform the lives of 150 000 smallholder farmers.
“We cannot achieve transformation without education, which is why we are encouraging early childhood development.”
On her part, Royal Norwegian Embassy head of cooperation Rannvelo Rajendram said the establishment of ECD centres in rural areas was a major milestone for the programme.
“We do not only support early childhood development but also encourage people to eat nutritious food. Farmers will be able to grow different crops to help their families,” she said.
Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare director of administration Ben M’bwana said the ECD project will help narrow the education gap between children in rural and urban areas.
“The project will help prepare children to grow into strong citizens in all areas of life while also addressing the disparities that exist between rural and urban learners,” he said.
With funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, NCA-DCA is implementing the Transformation Programme in partnership with Find Your Feet, Total Land Care, Catholic Development Commission, Trustees of Agricultural Promotion Programme and Assemblies of God Care in Dowa, Mchinji, Kasungu, Mzimba and Rumphi districts
