Early last year with the support of the Reno Rotary Club (Nevada, USA) an early childhood development program was launched in the “Open Windows to the Future Library in Chiché, Quiché, Guatemala under the able guidance of Alba Estrada. Alba reports that initially the women were reluctant to come as they themselves don’t read and couldn’t understand the value of preparing their children for school and to read. But Alba is persistent and by the time the 2011 program wound up in December Alba’s tiny library was full to the brim of parents and children reciting their vowels, shapes, colors, numbers and more.
Alba Estrada
While many in Central American lack resources many more lack knowledge about nutrition. Very quickly Alba realized that she would need to incorporate a nutritional component into the program. A staff person from the local health center came to measure and weigh all of the children. Information and healthy snacks were both given freely.
Standing room only
Much of Alba’s pre-literacy work is taken for granted in the developed world but it simply does not exist in homes with illiterate parents. Study after study shows that such early stimulation can ultimately determine a child’s educational success.
At the end of 2011 the children were all measured and weighed again and all had made gains which is a good indication that the mothers are learning along with the children. Both the mothers and the children were tested on sounds, numbers and shapes. One mother scored 100%. The mothers (one father too) were asked to provide feedback. They reported that they had learned a lot about the importance of nutrition especially for their children. Further, they reported that their children have adapted better to school and seem to be relating better to other children.
Weighing in ...
The closing session in December was attended by representatives from Communitarian Solutions, a venture that seeks to solve social and economic problems through the use of entrepreneurial tools and affordable products that help improve the health conditions of rural communities. They presented a nutritional product called “Nutributter” (from the makers of Plumpy Nut), which is a peanut based nutritional supplement for growing children, especially for those who suffer from mild to moderate malnutrition. The families were given a demonstration of the product and were told that it would be available at an affordable price for the community.
Alba’s dream and that of many of us at Riecken Community Libraries is to be able to offer early childhood development programs in communities all over Central America. The easiest way for you to help us realize this dream is to move your cursor over to the right and click on the “Give Now” button for the Early Childhood Development/Nutrition project on Global Giving. Muchas Gracias!