Gengkhar Early Childhood Care and Development Centre (ECCD) in Trashigang is the only ECCD in the country that provides day meal. And providing a lunch has improved the children’s attendance as well. The feeding programme was initiated by the facilitator with support from the parents in 2019. There are 11 children enrolled in the ECCD this year.
The feeding programme was initiated after parents faced some challenges.
“Gengkhar is a remote village and all the parents are farmers. The parents were facing difficulty in reaching lunch to their children. And when they send packed lunch prepared early in the morning, they get spoiled by lunchtime due to the hot weather,” said Kelzang Dawa, the facilitator.
He added that the feeding programme has encouraged 100 per cent attendance. Moreover, children can eat fresh and nutritious lunch.
And parents collect money to purchase rice and other essential items. Parents take turn to prepare the lunch.
“Firstly, we cannot reach lunch on time when we prepare at home. Secondly, the packed lunch gets spoiled because of the hot weather. And as a farmer, we have to also go for farming works. So, during a meeting when the facilitator proposed the initiative to provide lunch, we agreed,” said Norbu Wangchuk, a parent.
“We collect money to purchase rice and brings vegetable from our garden,” said Sonam Zangmo, another parent.
With such initiative, learning has been exciting for the children in Gengkhar. The village under Baepam chiwog has around 37 households.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
