Early Childhood Development Initiative

Ba Futuru's Early Childhood Development Initiative has had an incredibly busy and productive few months, especially in the areas of Teacher Training and within our own Early Childhood Education Facility.

Since December, 64 educators have passed through our training programs, which are designed to improve the quality of early childhood education across Timor-Leste. These have included:

• 23 educators from Balibo, Maliana and Liquisa who received training in Early Childhood Education (ECE), First Aid and Child Protection (including positive discipline strategies).
• 16 nannies and caregivers received training in ECE, First Aid and Child Protection.
• 25 educators from Lospalos who received training in Child Protection and First Aid as well as tailored follow-up support and mentoring in ECE.

Furthermore, in April this year we are hoping to train a further 25-30 participants in ECE, First Aid and Child Protection.

Within our pre-school two community students graduated in December and we have welcomed 5 new disadvantaged students from the local community; bringing the current total of community students attending to 7. Ba Futuru is continually looking for support for scholarships for these students and your donations via GlobalGiving will continue to support their attendance.

The personal and academic development of these children will be supported through the provision of engaging activities and materials, while their physical health will be supported via nutritious meals and 'healthy habits' including daily teeth brushing and development of hand-washing habits.

We are also welcoming a new pre-school teacher, Beth Hutchinson from Australia. Beth has more than 30 years experience working in education and will no doubt contribute greatly to the development of early childhood education across Timor-Leste as well as in our facility.