By Juma Chagoma

Phalombe, December 8, Mana: Phalombe District Council is geared to improve early childhood development programmes in the district through provision of quality modern Community-Based Care Centre (CBCC).

Speaking at the handover ceremony of Tithandizane Mulapo CBCC, Director of Planning and Development, Kelvin Harawa said the project aims at improving quality of education for early childhood development.

“This project accords children with psychosocial support in the process of their growth; so, as council we are pleased that the project has been welcomed by the community which gives total ownership in the running of affairs of the CBCC," said Harawa.

On his part, Phalombe District Council Chairperson, Agason Sompho said in keeping with modern trends, such infrastructure projects must incorporate installation of electricity before handing over to the community.

Sompho asked the community to take full ownership of the project by seriously safeguarding it to last long.

Senior Chief Jenala thanked government for the project as it will offer children an opportunity to learn under a conducive environment and assured the council that they will properly manage and take care of the project to last long.

Jenala added that they have already formulated by-laws on how to protect and take care of the facility.

One of the caregivers at Tithandizane Mulapo CBCC, Agness Godoke said the project will address the challenge of disruption of classes during the rainy season.

Godoke, however, appealed to development partners to join hands and introduce a feeding programme at the CBCC to reduce cases of absenteeism that come as a result of food insecurity in the community.

Tithandizane Mulapo CBCC which is located at Kasongo Village in Traditional Authority Jenala started in 2008 and currently has an enrollment of 116 learners of whom 64 are girls and 52 are boys.

The project was funded by the World Bank to a tune of K111 million through the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funded projects.