CHILDRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ANNUAL NEWSLETTER 2023

Dear Esteemed Stakeholders and Partners,
Warm greetings to you all. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering commitment and invaluable assistance in our mission to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children within the Childrise program area. Your continued support is a beacon of hope that empowers us to drive change and foster development in the face of challenges posed by climate change and global inflation. Childrise Development Programme is a non-governmental organization dedicated to serving children, families, and communities in need. With your invaluable support, we have been able to make significant strides in improving the health and education status of 30,551 children. Your contributions have played a pivotal role in transforming their lives and providing them with opportunities for a brighter future.
We recognize that none of our achievements would have been possible without your trust, partnership, and support. Your dedication has not only made a difference in the lives of individual children but has also contributed to building stronger communities as a whole. We are truly grateful for your commitment to making a positive impact on society.
We believe that every child deserves access to essential services and opportunities that can improve their overall well-being and future prospects. To achieve this, we implement various programs and initiatives that target key areas such as health and education.

EDUCATION
We are thrilled to share with you the remarkable progress made in our educational endeavors during the recent reporting period. Education is at the heart of our mission, and we are dedicated to expanding opportunities and fostering growth for children in need.

Enhancing Educational Opportunities
At Childrise Development Programme, our commitment to education drives us to enhance educational opportunities in various ways. We are proud to have improved school infrastructure, provided essential learning materials, and supported the professional development of ECDE teachers. Our aim is to foster a conducive environment for learning that caters to the unique needs of each child as outlined below.

Presentation of ECD course books, teacher’s guides, plastic chairs and tables to Tharaka Nithi County Governor-Hon Muthomi Njuki at County headquarters

Investing in Early Childhood Development

Recognizing the pivotal role of quality childcare in the development of infants and young children, our initiative has extended support to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers with the provision of 350 plastic chairs and tables. These centers, which cater to children aged 3-5 years, hold significant importance in nurturing foundational skills for both school readiness and lifelong learning. Our investment in Early Childhood Development centers reflects our commitment to establishing an optimal learning environment. This initiative is a part of the "Enhancing Quality Pre-Primary Education in Kenya" project, executed by Childrise in partnership with Longhorn Publishers and ChildFund.

Presentation of ECD course books, teacher’s guides, plastic chairs and tables to Tharaka Nithi County Governor-Hon Muthomi Njuki at County headquarters

Through this collaboration, a substantial impact has been made. A total of 629 ECD teachers across 5 sub-counties in Tharaka Nithi county underwent comprehensive training on the Competency-based curriculum. This initiative empowers educators with advanced skills and knowledge that significantly influence the early learning experiences of children aged 3-5. This training encompasses various aspects, including teaching methodologies, curriculum delivery, and classroom management. As a result, 13,154 students in 323 Pre-primary schools are benefitting from a more enriched educational experience. Moreover, the distribution of 3,200 Teacher's guides and 6,400 Learner’s course books further underscores our dedication to equipping schools with essential educational resources. This holistic approach aims to address educational disparities and lay a robust foundation for continuous learning among the young learners in Tharaka Nithi county.

ECD teachers during a training session at Gatunga Methodist church

Transforming Learning Spaces at Kajiampau Primary School

In collaboration with the dedicated school community, we successfully rehabilitated four classrooms at Kajiampau Primary School. These renovated classrooms now provide a conducive environment for 143 pupils (71 boys and 73 girls). Additionally, we have provided two plastic water tanks, each with a capacity of 10,000 liters, for rainwater harvesting, ensuring that the students have access to safe drinking water while in school.

ECD teachers during a training session at Gatunga Methodist church

Pupils inside the old classrooms at Kajiampau

Pupils learning in the renovated classrooms

Transforming Learning Spaces at Kajiampau Primary School
In collaboration with the dedicated school community, we successfully rehabilitated four classrooms at Kajiampau Primary School. These renovated classrooms now provide a conducive environment for 143 pupils (71 boys and 73 girls). Additionally, we have provided two plastic water tanks, each with a capacity of 10,000 liters, for rainwater harvesting, ensuring that the students have access to safe drinking water while in school.

Promoting Comfortable Learning Environments:
To create favorable learning environments and alleviate congestion, we have distributed 100 desks to six primary schools: Rwakarai, Kiigani, Mandugo, Mutonga, Kigwambiti, and Karambari. This intervention has provided adequate seating for 300 children (150 boys and 150 girls), enhancing their learning experience and contributing to improved examination performance.

Enabling Post-Primary Education Access:
Through our bursary program, we have supported 389 children (231 females and 158 males) to attend post-primary learning in secondary schools. The bursaries, awarded twice in the financial year, have played a pivotal role in ensuring continuous school attendance, increasing transition rates, retention, and ultimately leading to improved academic performance.

Equipping Children with Life Skills:
In line with our holistic approach to education, we conducted life skills training for 1070 children aged 6 to 14 years. These skills include planning, self-control, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking, among others. By imparting these skills, we empower children to navigate life's challenges and become well-rounded individuals.

Caregivers being trained on nurturing care as part of RPP program model at Mutonga

HEALTH

In terms of healthcare, we work towards providing quality medical services to children in need. This includes ensuring access to regular check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments for common illnesses. We also prioritize preventive measures to promote good health practices within the community.
During the reporting period, the Childrise Development Programme played a vital role in facilitating specialized treatment for 27 children (11 boys and 16 girls) in Embu and Tharaka Nithi County. These children, dealing with issues like pneumonia and physical injuries necessitating X-rays, were given the opportunity to receive quality medical care in various level 4 health facilities. This initiative is anticipated to not only grant better healthcare access to children with special heath needs but also contribute to their overall physical and mental well-being.
Simultaneously, the program extended its efforts through responsive and protective parenting sessions, held across specific villages in Tharaka Nithi and Embu County. Targeting caregivers, the program aimed to enhance their parenting skills and ability to provide optimal care for the children they oversee. Over the course of 14 training sessions, the program reached out to 445 caregivers, with a diverse gender distribution of 6 males and 439 females. By focusing on caregiver training, the program aimed to create a nurturing environment that fosters healthy child development and safeguards their overall welfare.

Caregivers being trained on nurturing care as part of RPP program model at Mutonga

Dairy Goat Rearing and Management Training

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, we organized comprehensive training for 219 caregivers (153 females and 66 males) on dairy goat rearing and management. Dairy goats present a versatile livestock enterprise, offering potential for milk, meat, fiber, and more. Each trained caregiver received a dairy goat, addressing not only the protein needs of young children but also generating extra income through surplus milk and the sale of offspring.

Enhancing Dairy goats rearing

Children and caregivers supported with improved Kienyeji chicken at Tunyai

Promoting poultry farming

In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, we trained 480 caregivers (178 males, 302 females) in Embu, Mutonga, and Tunyai. This equips them with poultry and fisheries management skills, addressing food insecurity. Each caregiver also received two improved Kienyeji chickens, benefiting children's nutrition and family income.

Children and caregivers supported with improved Kienyeji chicken at Tunyai

Empowering Caregivers with Certified Planting Seeds

During the year, we extended support to 1338 farmers (358 males and 980 females) across Mutonga, Embu, and Tunyai sites with high-quality seeds, including Cowpeas, green grams and kales. This partnership with Kenya Agriculture Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Embu branch aims to ensure that these farmers achieve food security by empowering households, fostering nutritional diversity, and nurturing sustainable livelihoods.

Supporting Agribusiness

CHILD PROTECTION AND PARTICIPATION

Child´s engagement in program activities and putting program participation at the center of the child’s experience of Childrise programing
The organization works with a Children Representative Committee (CRC), consisting of 9 members elected through a process starting with grade 4 to grade 12 students participating in focus groups elections. The CRC's purpose is to voice children's concerns in the Project coordinating committee, foster leadership skills, and contribute to Area operation plans and budgets, focusing on activities benefiting enrolled children. Their involvement enhances Childrise's child-focused approach and rights-based ethos. Recognizing the significance of children's involvement in decision-making and their empowerment, Childrise initiated efforts to promote child participation. They facilitated the attendance of 150 children (75 boys and 75 girls) from Mutonga, Tunyai, and Embu at the Day of the African Child (DAC) event. This event not only provided a platform for children to express themselves but also helped build their confidence and engage them with leaders across sectors. Through such endeavors, Childrise empowers children by granting them a voice, ensuring their perspectives are acknowledged in discussions concerning child rights and protection. Caption: CRC meeting in progress

In conclusion, the remarkable achievements of the Childrise Development Programme stand as a testament to the unwavering commitment of sponsors, stakeholders, and partners who share a united vision of bettering the lives of children. Their collective support fuels Childrise's continuous strides in implementing sustainable programs that spark enduring positive transformations. The organization remains resolute in its mission to impact meaningful change in the lives of vulnerable children and their communities. Together, we forge a brighter future, one where the potential of every child is realized and nurtured.

With heartfelt gratitude and renewed determination,
Silas Kinyua
CEO
Childrise Development Programme

Children during celebration of the day of the Africa Child