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Canadian Child Education Methodology Helps Tots in Africa

Children's Charity Partners with CIDA to Expand the Implementation of Essential Intervention Techniques

Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) announced today a partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to help infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in poverty stricken Burkina Faso reach their full potential.

In particular, CCFC will implement a unique parenting education and early childhood stimulation model known as Learning Through Play (LTP). The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre LTP methodology was originally developed by City of Toronto Public Health Department to assist young multicultural families in Toronto. Hincks-Dellcrest Centre is a world renowned expert in promoting social, emotional, and behavioural well-being in infants, children, youth, and their families.

As a result of this initiative, approximately 1,300 adults in caretaking roles - including parents, teachers, pre-school employees, community workers - will be trained in the importance of Early Childhood Development (ECD); providing a stimulating and supportive environment for children's physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth. The initial grant bestowed by CIDA will be just over $385,000, with CCFC supporters providing almost $115,000 over the next three years.

Drawing upon its broad experience in ECD, CCFC will utilize a variety of tools and methodologies (including LTP) to promote the importance of early intervention in young children on a holistic level - which encompasses formal education, basic healthcare, and proper nutrition. In a country where only 2.8 per cent of children aged three to five have access to any type of early childhood education (nursery school, preschool, daycare etc.), and 60 per cent of children drop out of elementary school, this project ensures an estimated 1,680 children will be provided with the good health, emotional stability, and intellectual stimulation necessary to succeed in primary school.

"I am particularly proud that a Canadian organization is able to implement Canadian parenting and teaching methodologies to help children in need around the world," says Mark Lukowski, CEO of CCFC. "I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge CIDA's support in assisting the children of Burkina Faso to reach their full educational potential."

This CCFC project supports CIDA's strategic focus of securing the future for children and youth and was officially announced today by The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, at an event on Parliament Hill informing Canadians about the Government of Canada's contributions to projects affecting children around the world.

About Christian Children's Fund of Canada and the ChildFund Alliance

For more than 50 years, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) has helped children and families of all faiths break the cycle of extreme poverty around the world. CCFC is a member of ChildFund Alliance, a network of 12 child development organizations whose work encompasses more than 15 million children and their families in 55 countries with a total revenue of more than $500 million (CAD). Visit www.ccfcanada.ca.