By Erick Nyayiera
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), has kicked off a child development programme in the Lake Region Bloc to protect children and cater for their welfare.
IRCK, through the various interfaith networks, is implementing an ECD project for 3 years dubbed “Strengthening Faith Systems for Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) in Kenya” funded by the Hilton Foundation.
The target counties include Busia, Vihiga, Kisumu, Siaya, Homabay, Kakamega, and Nyamira within the Lake Region Economic Block.
“The project seeks to build the capacities of the interfaith leaders in the target counties in order to advocate for a nurturing care framework and positive parenting,” read an excerpt from the IRCK document.
According to IRCK, religious leaders are highly respected by their faithful as sources of correct information. They therefore play a pivotal role as opinion shapers on a wide range of issues.
Documented studies have also confirmed that investing in ECDE is important especially between the 0-3 years age when the child’s brain and system get to adapt to the environment and as such it sets the blue print for the child’s future growth and development.
“Consequently, action or lack of action on the child’s environment at this stage will either determine proper and optimum growth and development of the child or otherwise. Nearly 250 million children aged under 5 years in low and middle-income countries (or more than 4 in every 10), risk missing critical development milestones due to poverty or stunting,” reads the report.
The 3-year project therefore aims to create awareness among members of interfaith networks within the seven counties on the need to invest in the early years of children. Other stakeholders in the program will include the key departmental heads within the target county governments, the national government representation at county level, as well as other relevant partners aligned to promoting ECDE at county level.
Speaking during a one day workshop in Siaya, the religious caucus patron Bishop Wilfred Amollo expressed their commitment to working together for the well-being of the children.
“This programme also forms the development foundation of the child psychologically, mentally, physically and socially from when the child is born hence must be given proper attention,” said Amollo.
The bishop said the programme is looking forward to educating male parents on the importance of their involvement in a child’s overall development.
Amollo’s sentiments were echoed by Siaya County SUPKEM chairman Rashid Owino, who said that they will go through a series of trainings and dialogue meetings for smooth implementation.
“We are going to spread the message to our congregants and the community at large for them to appreciate that positive parenting is a component of growth that cannot be ignored,” he said.
