Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development Centres and Day Care Health Centres reduce infant and child mortality and improve the quality of life of extremely poor children through healthcare and day nursery provision.

Because healthcare centres are often too far for many rural  families to access, young children often die or become permanently disabled as a result of treatable illnesses and accidents. These centres provide free healthcare for children and referrals to our Asha clinic in Pokhara or to partner hospitals for more serious cases. They also provide day care for young children who are at risk, especially from accidents involving fire because of poor supervision while mothers work in the fields. These children receive good quality nursery education, which will give them a head start when they go to school and children are provided with a nutritious lunch to help their development.

The children who directly benefit from these centres are from 2 to 6 years old.  However, their older siblings also benefit because they no longer have to look after their younger brothers or sisters, allowing them to go to school instead.  Mothers are also free to work in the fields or on the farms in the knowledge that their children are in a safe place.