This new joint MAPSSD-CICED project has two main objectives:

One: home-based support for preschoolers’ all-round development. The initiative includes nomadic families and their children aged 3-5 years, i.e. children who do not have the opportunity to attend kindergarten.

Two: developing better and more family-like care and recreational opportunities for children in rural schools’ boarding departments

During the first year of the project, the 62 local branches of MAPSSD, in close cooperation with local authorities, will identify families to be involved in the program of home-based support for the all-round development of preschool children.

Parents will be introduced to the program and agreements around support and collaboration will be drawn up.

Existing learning materials will be identified and new materials and guides will be developed. Among the materials that will be included in the ‘package’ will be traditional as well as modern games that improve, for example, children’s motor skills, language skills, creative and rational thinking.

The current conditions in the boarding departments will also be analyzed and plans will be made to improve the conditions towards a family-like, child-friendly care and learning atmosphere.

After training staff to implement and coordinate the two main activities and holding regional workshops in August 2020, all MAPSSD chapters will fully participate in the implementation of the project.

Expected situation at the end of the project:

• Home-based educational development program for preschool children is operational in all 62 rural areas.
• Up to 80% of all nomadic families and more than 2000 children have been involved in the home-based educational development program
• 80% of the boarding houses in the rural schools in the involved rural areas have improved their social, cultural and learning conditions, and the boarding houses are more family-like and caring places to stay.
• Funding is secured for the continuation and expansion of the home-based educational development program and for the continued maintenance of stimulating and caring boarding departments in rural schools.