BY STAFF REPORTER
Children are the future assets of any country; and any nation’s development is highly dependent on the well-being of its child population- physical, psychological, emotional and mental health. Children who grew up in a stimulating and nurturing environment that is favourable to grow well. learn and acquire the needed skills in a range of domains to thrive, create a healthy society and a better future not only for themselves; but also for the whole society and their country.
On the other hand, when children are raised in an unsupportive environment where there are no proper child care practices and limited supply of things, the outcome would be the reverse. John Holt, an American author and educator, compared human beings to bonsai trees. As to him, if you take a tree seedling and clip its roots and branches in a certain way and limit its supply of water, air and sun, you can produce a tiny, twisted tree.
A bonsai tree is a deformed miniature of the tall, straight tree the seedling had the potential to be had it been given the sun, air, water, soil and food it needed. And so it is with children. They cannot realize their potential if they are given only a limited supply of the things they need to thrive.
To this end, aside from fulfilling their basic needs, (food, hygiene, medical care, education and all the other essentials), giving special attention for kids and creating a peaceful, safe and nurturing environment is indispensable because healthy childhood leads to healthy future not only for the children themselves but also for the whole society.
According to a study conducted by Mighty Kids Academy for Social and Emotional learning, children, in order to thrive, need to have the right kind of environment, which not only allows for them to learn and grow as people but also encourages them to do so, in many different aspects of their life.
Realizing the boundless potential and innumerable contributions that the present children can play in shaping the future of a nation, various international, continental, regional and national declarations and conventions, including the declaration of the Rights of the Child passed in 1959 by the UN General Assembly, have been devised to promote the rights of children – to protection, education, health care, shelter, and good nutrition.
In response, countries invest hugely to create a favourable environment that supports kids to learn, grow and thrive and always give privileged status to children. As a result, even though there are differences from countries to countries and limitations are still visible mainly within developing countries, encouraging strides that lay the foundation in ensuring the rights of children and uplifting their position is registered.
Ethiopia, as one of the signatory countries, has also been undertaking various activities to create a suitable environment to ensure the rights of children thereby utilizing their full potential. In addition to improving access to education and healthcare services for children, the government is working to create a favourable environment for children and making the capital Addis Ababa the best city for raising children.
Recently, the Addis Ababa City Administration announced a plan to construct 12 thousand children recreational facilities within the coming three years, to build daycares in all institutions of the City Administration and assign caregiver professionals. According to the Administration’s report, out of the 12 thousand children recreational facilities, 59 of them will be completed soon. This was indicated at the “Early Childhood Development Movement Week” launched by Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie recently with the theme “Children are tomorrow’s hope for Addis Ababa”.
According to Mayor Adanech, early childhood development, that is from fetus to six years of age, is an age range that lays the foundation for the overall development of human life. Given this fact, the range needs special care and consideration. However, this age range is not given much attention. Owing to this, the City Administration is working to enable children to develop well physically and mentally by devising a program dubbed “Children: Tomorrow’s Addis Ababa Hope.” “We will further strengthen the work we have already started to make Addis Ababa the best African city for raising children,” she added.
Mentioning that her Administration has already signed a cooperation agreement with the Addis Ababa University to conduct study and research based activities that will allow to upgrade pre-primary education, she said that 1400 professionals who have been trained in child caregiving and engaged in door-to-door awareness raising activities about children have graduated.
The Administration has also adopted the first ever early childhood roadmap and has started implementing it. What is more, in all institutions of the City Administration, daycares will be constructed and caregiver professionals will be assigned. In this movement week, various works will be carried out to sensitize mothers, caregivers and stakeholders regarding issues associated with child raising. Meanwhile, Mayor Adanech inaugurated a children’s clinic that was built by Kebebe Tsehay Orphanage and a daycare that was constructed by the Administration in Lideta Sub City.
Speaking on occasion. Adanech said, as part of Administration’s Early Childhood Development Movement Week” and “Children: Tomorrow’s Addis Ababa Hope,” program, the Administration is striving to ensure that children receive proper care and grow up in a manner their physical and mental health is secured.
The Administrations has built daycares and clinics that lessen the burden of mothers. As part of this effort, 2500 professionals have been certified in childcare and a children’s clinic that was built by Kebebe Tsehay Orphanage and a daycare constructed by the Administration in Lideta Sub City were inaugurated.
What is more, 2500 professionals who have been certified in childcare and providing door-to-door awareness creation works for parents and guardians graduated. The program has also created job opportunities for several women, she said.
According to information from the City Administration, in the next three years, parent counseling and universal service support system will be set up, 1000 children daycare centers will be developed and 12 thousand children recreational centers will be built. Likewise, 1095 pre-primary schools will be transformed, 101 health centers will be made convenient for early childhood development services, and 5000 professionals who can give counselling services for parents and guardians will be trained and assigned.
Building a center of excellence that will support nation’s and Africa’s early childhood activities through research and inculcation is the other target that would be carried out by the Administration in the coming three years, as per Administration’s webpage.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 23 JUNE 2023
