WeCare-Informed Parenting Project 37

WeCare-Informed Parenting Project

Report 4 (Final Report)

1. Enrolment in Learning Centers

Owing to various organizational efforts along with contributions from communities the enrolment in each of the centres increased. Over the life of the intervention, the beneficiary net has widened, and the centres were accessed by a greater number of beneficiaries. The enrolment improved to 200 children, 200 mothers, 134 fathers, 85 pregnant mothers, 77 grandparents and other caregivers.

The overall beneficiary net of the program was raised to 2,289 children, 2,234 mothers, 2,194 fathers, and 815 grandparents.

2. Formation of Learning Center Management Committee

The Rupani Foundation believes that the involvement of local communities plays a vital role in strengthening ECD services and spreading awareness. The formation of a Learning Center Management Committee was an important step in establishing and sustaining the programs within a community. This committee will play a vital role in overseeing and managing the operations of the learning centers.

The formation of the committee is a strategic approach to ensure the effective management, sustainability, and community engagement of the programs.

The foundation conducted training to the committee members on topics related to management, accounting, and child development.  Clear roles and responsibilities were assigned to each committee.  The committee will hold regular meetings to discuss the progress of the learning centre, address challenges, make decisions, and plan future initiatives. 

3. Sessions in AWIP Learning Centers

The program team conducted sessions to create awareness about the importance of ECD and the role of communities in developing a strong future generation and a sustainable society through ECD intervention.

The Prenatal Support Coordinator conducted awareness sessions attended by 1,705 pregnant, childbearing, and newlywed couples. The topics included pregnancy and bonding with the baby in the womb, brain development during pregnancy and after birth, diet and exercise during pregnancy, self-care during pregnancy and support, perinatal depression, and preparing for childbirth and newborn care.

4. Karim’s Journey at the Learning Center

Three-year-old Karim's journey at the Rahimabad learning center is a significant success story of overcoming speech delay and achieving significant progress in just a few months.

Karim's parents had noticed that their child was experiencing speech delay. They were concerned about his ability to communicate effectively. Seeking help and support, they enrolled Karim in the learning center, which focuses on the holistic development of children.

Karim's mother, with the guidance of the FSMs at the AWIP learning center, actively participated in his journey. She attended sessions designed to empower parents with the knowledge and skills to support their children's development.

The learning center offered a diverse range of activities that were tailored to stimulate Karim's holistic development. Through interactive play, storytime, and different hands-on projects, he not only had fun but also started building essential communication skills.  

Over the course of six months, the results were truly remarkable. Karim's progress in language development was evident. With the support of his mother and the nurturing environment of the learning center, he began to sing the songs practised at the center regularly.  

Karim's ability to speak not only transformed his own life but also filled his family with immense joy.

5. Sustainability of the Intervention

The target communities were optimally engaged throughout the intervention where possible to develop a sense of ownership and intact their interest in the intervention. The communities at large and their representatives were actively involved in various activities. The foundation conducted several meetings and consultations with local communities to operate these learning centers in a sustainable way. The Learning Center Management Committee will now play an important role in sustaining the centers in future.

6. Conclusion

The journey of the AWIP learning center intervention, with the invaluable support and collaboration of the donors and the communities we serve, is yielding remarkable outcomes. We are proud to share the impact and progress achieved in various aspects of our program, which would not have been possible without the collective efforts of all of you.

We express our gratitude to all our supporters, donors, community members, and the dedicated team behind this initiative. The centers will continue impacting the lives of children and families in the communities we serve. This will ultimately contribute to a brighter and more sustainable future for the communities living in the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Thank you for being part of this transformative journey with us.