Dubai Cares to support 500 kids in Peru

Dh1.83m programme to benefit 351 families and train 32 community agents over three years

Dubai Cares, part of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has announced a threeyear programme to bring Early Childhood Development (ECD) support to 500 disadvantaged children in Peru.

The programme, being implemented in partnership with local NGO Kusi Warma, provides training and coaching to 351 families of children below the age of three, through project technical team and community agents at the ECD centres, as well as through home visits. In addition, the programme provides training to 32 community agents on topics such as health, nutrition, education and protection.

The Dh1.83 million ($500,000) programme aims to help consolidate Kusi Warma’s Model of Comprehensive Care for Early Childhood in Peru (MAIPI) Centres, in the nation’s heavily rural Turpo and urban marginal Ventanilla districts. It is set to reduce ‘growth delay’ among infants in the target districts, which is characterised by stunted physical, psychological and social development. The programme also provides support to 14 ECD centres to ensure continuity of operation, and encompasses parental education on health, nutrition, early education and safety.

Annina Mattson, programmes director at Dubai Cares, said: “Education plays a remarkable role in contributing to the overall physical, psychological, and social development of a child. However, for many in Peru’s rural and urban areas, the early years of life are dominated by hardship, as access to adequate education, nourishment, clean water and other essential rights are sparse.”

Gloria Navarro, executive director of Kusi Warma, said: “We are very happy to have started this mutual collaboration with Dubai Cares. We value the decision of working together to support Peruvian children through the provision of early childhood development.”