The Loden Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Centre at Ura Gewog in Bumthang is shaping lives of the community’s children by preparing them for the transition from preschool to grade school.
Since its inception a decade ago, villagers there always felt the ECCD centre was a blessing for them. For these 10 years, over 270 children graduated from the centre. Making toddlers and preschoolers engage in playful activities such as playing games, reading and singing nursery rhymes are what facilitators do regularly at the centre.
This preschool session, the two facilitators are looking after 27 children. Often times, taking care of kids becomes challenging but facilitators give their best to make them feel at home.
“The centre has been benefiting the community so much,” Rinzin Tshomo, the facilitator of Loden ECCD Centre said. She added: “Every morning, I and my facilitator friend bring children here if parents can’t make it here due to their schedules.”
Rinzin said while parents work in farms, they can be assured that their children are in good hands. “Unlike in the capital, parents here can pay Nu 100 pe
r child in a month.”
The ECCD centre benefits villagers and civil servants in Ura Gewog. They are happy that the centre is serving its purpose well. “We don’t have to take kids with us at work. We come here only in the evening to get them back home from the centre,” said one of the parents, Sangay Wangmo.
Others also shared that ECCD centre has been effective in preparing their children to enroll in formal schools. “After two years of guidance at the centre, our children become more confident and ready for school. Earlier, without such facility it was difficult for us to send our children to schools,” added Sonam Lhaki.
The Loden Foundation, a Civil Society Organisation based in Thimphu established the Centre in 2008. There are four other such centres established by the CSO in Monggar, Samtse, Zhemgang and Paro. The foundation endeavours to give an equal opportunity for children of rural communities to have an early start for their education.
