Turkana west: At least 83 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and sub-recipients of the Tucheze Tustawi project, including the Kalobeyei Initiative for Better Life and ACME organization, have been trained on developing play items and learning materials aimed at creating safe, stimulating environments for children under three years.
According to Kenya News Agency, the activity was facilitated through a collaboration between the County Government of Turkana and Amref Health Africa. It focused on equipping CHPs with practical skills to design low-cost, home-based play materials, building on previous learning under the Nurturing Care Framework.
Martina Aoko Adega, Lead Trainer and TOT, Nurturing Care and Child Development, highlighted that the initiative strengthens the use of existing community structures to promote early childhood development. She emphasized leveraging these structures, particularly the CHPs who have been highly trained and are implementing the Tucheze Tustawi knowledge, to educate expectant mothers and families with young children.
In the context of rising living costs, locally made play materials offer a practical and affordable alternative to purchased toys. These items can educate children on various developmental aspects, preparing them for school and interaction with their environment.
Reinhard Anzeze, Technical Officer-Child Health, Amref Tucheze Tustawi, reinforced the importance of embedding learning in everyday life. By empowering CHPs to turn simple household materials into play and learning tools, children's development is supported, and families are strengthened to become active participants in nurturing care.
Lucas Emei, a CHP from Kalobeyei Unit, mentioned that the training builds on previous project knowledge. He noted the positive changes, including improved hygiene, brought about by creating shapes and coloring them with shredded paper.
Pauline Elote, a CHP from Nadapal Unit, explained that caregivers are now using locally available materials to support learning. This approach allows children to learn to identify colors, shapes, fruits, and animals long before school, especially important for families unable to afford shop-bought toys.
Additionally, parents are encouraged to use simple methods at home, including drawing and using safe household materials for creative learning activities. Samuel Longes, a CHP from Nadapal 1 Unit, emphasized the need for greater involvement of men in childcare, advocating for shared parenting responsibilities.
Rodah Ebonan, a Community Health Assistant from Morongole 1 Unit, noted that CHPs serve as the first link between communities and health facilities. Caregivers now understand the importance of play-based learning and increasingly integrate it into daily routines.
The initiative has improved children's emotional, physical, and cognitive development, as noted by Lucas Taaban, a CHP from Morungole. CHPs guide caregivers on using different play items for various age groups to replicate them at home easily.
John Ngasike, Medical Officer of Health in Turkana West, pointed out that the initiative has strengthened early identification of developmental delays, enabling timely referrals to health facilities for further support. CHPs also use play materials during clinic visits to help children feel more relaxed, reducing fear and anxiety associated with medical procedures.
The trained CHPs will transfer the knowledge and skills acquired to other CHPs within their respective Community Health Units. They will also train caregivers at the household level to promote play, early stimulation, and responsive caregiving. Anzeze noted that this cascade approach is expected to enhance the integration of play-based interventions within communities, increase caregiver engagement in child development activities, and improve tracking and documentation of play-based mental health and social-emotional learning interventions at the household level.