A Closer Look

Isaac Chikosi

Following an article published earlier this month on Early Learning and Childhood Develop, the namib times visited some Day Care centres in the DRC resettlement area.

Evidently day care centres in this area enroll anywhere from 20 to 45 children. The youngest being 9-month-old babies. Obviously, there is a great demand for the service.
Lucky’s Kindergarten and Day Care which has been open since 2013 has a total of 50 children. It is heart-warming to see the heart with which the caregivers work, however, the setting is hardly a conducive environment. The caregiver explains that the babies present the biggest challenge as they need to be watched round the clock.
A second visit to Little Sweet Home run by Rachel Shiviku revealed real challenges faced by those in the DRC resettlement area. “One of the problems we have is the pit latrine toilet.” Says Shiviku. “Sometimes the children are afraid to use the pit latrine because it’s just a hole there, so we put potties for them outside”, she further stated.
20 litre buckets are used as alternatives. This leaves children exposed with no decency as no wall or boundary covers the toilet area. According to the owner, she is soliciting donations to fix the ablution facility and buy food items.
“Some of them bring their own food, but the others eat from my food.” Shiviku’s passion for what she does is unmistakable. Yet, young children deserve a safe and hygienic environment as they are easily susceptible to injury and disease. In addition to this the dogs on the premises pose a real danger for the toddlers.
A collective solution where established centres could lend a hand to struggling kindergartens will bring about the change necessary to provide infants and children the best care possible. We owe it to them.