By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, February 27, Mana: Rumphi District Council has handed over to communities nine community-based childcare centres (CBCC) constructed under the World Bank-funded Investing in Early Years Project (IEYP).

Speaking during the handover ceremony on Wednesday in Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Chisovya, District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu urged the communities to take ownership of the centres and also support caregivers.

STA Chisovya said the two centres in his area have not only beautified the area but also given the children a good start to learning.

"We want our children to become district commissioners, medical officers and many other top positions. These structures will help them achieve that as they now have a solid start through early learning. We are very grateful to the government and donors," said Chisovya.

Group Village Headman Baghaya from the area where Lukali CBCC has been constructed, promised to take care of the centre for the benefit of their children and others to come.

Rumphi was allocated 15 CBCCs under the programme.

The other six are at advanced stages of construction and expected to be completed before June when the project winds up and at least 1500 children are expected to benefit from the centres.

Some of the CBCCs handed over include Nkhumano, Lwatizi, Lwendera, Phoka, Lukali, Titemwane and Kauka.