BACKGROUND
With the activity of the tribal health centre it soon became apparent that an above-average number of small children in the region were not developed age-appropriately. Research showed that unbalanced nutrition, contaminated water and a lack of active support for the children were the main reasons for this. The indigenous population of the region hardly owns any land and works in the fields on a daily wage basis. In between jobs, they try to keep their heads above water with traditional handicrafts. The small children are neglected due to the high workload and spend most of their time at home with their grandparents, who hardly move. But movement is particularly important for the age-appropriate development of a child.
HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROJECT “HEP”
DAY CARE CENTRES 2023: 9
Based on this experience, Usthi launched the HEP infant development programme in 2012. Children are looked after and specifically supported in the day care centres. The project is supplemented by information in the communities on topics such as nutrition, health and early childhood development. Childcare is provided by social workers trained by Usthi, who often also work as health care workers. This also helps to make use of existing trust and build on it. The children’s positive response to this early external care situation provided by Usthi facilitates their subsequent enrolment in state schools and access to education.