𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲

For many families in our communities, life has long followed a fragile rhythm. Parents wake early, doing their best to provide, while their youngest children face challenges they are too small to name, like hunger, malnutrition, and limited access to early learning spaces. This has been the quiet reality for years. Yet, it is also where hope begins.

Last few weeks marked a meaningful turning point.Hope of Family proudly welcomed four new home-based Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers into our livelihood and child support programs. These ECDs are more than places where children gather. They are safe, nurturing spaces where children under five can play freely, learn foundational skills, grow emotionally, and begin life with dignity.

At Gasharu ECD, home to 24 bright and energetic children, our team led a practical, hands-on nutrition demonstration for parents and caregivers. Using locally available foods, we walked families through the preparation of a balanced and nutritious meal, from selecting ingredients to serving the final dish. Laughter filled the room, questions flowed freely, and parents leaned in with curiosity and determination. At Hope of Family, we believe that knowledge only creates change when it can be practiced at home.

To support healthy growth and early development, we continue to provide essential food items, including milk, eggs, and Irish potatoes, to all ECDs under our care. These monthly engagements are not just distributions. They are moments of connection, learning, and reassurance for families who often feel forgotten.

Today, 203 children under the age of five, from both existing and newly added ECDs, are receiving consistent day-to-day support through our programs. With the addition of these four centers, we now work with 12 ECDs across our area of operation.

Yet, the urgency remains real.

Our most recent study revealed that 49.6% of children in our communities face malnutrition. This number is more than a statistic. It represents real children, real families, and real futures at risk. It is a call to action we cannot ignore.

Together with parents, partners, donors, and friends, we are nurturing healthier childhoods, restoring hope to families, and building stronger, more resilient communities.