By Fredrick Odiero
The county government of Kisumu in partnership with Kidogo Innovations has entered into a partnership to introduce breastfeeding programmes within Technical and Vocational Training Centres in a bid to encourage mothers to take such courses.
The partnership was witnessed by Education ICT and Human Capacity Development CECM Mr. John Awiti and Martin Kiyeng of Kidogo Innovations.
Awiti affirmed that the establishment and operation of baby care Centre is a silver lining for students in TVET centers.
He went on to add that Kisumu county is well -placed to play an important role in education, with a significant potential contribution to accelerate provision and service delivery of quality affordable institution baby care for the children of the students.
Awiti emphasized the County’s commitment to supporting the training needs of the vocational centers including the well-being of the students.
“Our partnership with Kidogo Innovations will provide the much-needed support to students to manage their learning sessions. We have created baby care assisted centres to provide backup baby care for students who have an extra burden of where to leave their young children,” he said.
Baby care challenges have become a barrier to learning for young mothers who have to take lessons and look after their babies at the same time.
“We seek to adapt the Early Childhood Model Centers dubbed ‘baby care center’ in three of our institutions namely Akado, Ahero and Obange Training centers which are set to provide supervision and care for infants and young children during the day, particularly so that their parents can hold classes,” stated Awiti.
The county has 26 centres. Plans are also underway to establish and equip the remaining 23 centers across the county.
The program seeks to allocate space for the baby centers within the institutions. The spaces are then renovated and well equipped with play stations, bedding, toys and mats under the supervision of the directorate of TVET and the center managers. A well trained caretaker is also available in each centre.
Kiyeng said Kidogo Innovations is keen to improve access to quality, affordable childcare and pre-school services in low-income communities.
