PROGRAMSLittle Rock provides four distinct, but interrelated, programs to respond to the immediate needs of these children, namely:
EducationLittle Rock aims at laying the foundation for the child to acquire skills & abilities for the intellectual growth which will help them to excel in life. The teaching techniques used emphasize learning by playing, self motivation, sensory observation, sight, touch, smell and hearing stimuli, rather than lecturing and memorization. To facilitate learning, Little Rock provides a prepared environment to allow physical and practical activities in:
All the children joining primary school after Little Rock and those already in primary school are provided with a full set of uniforms, books, pencils, and exercise books). In Kibera, this is what determines whether a child stays in school or drops out (a statistic in free primary education). Achievements:
NutritionThe feeding program supports the child's overall education and development, as no child can effectively learn on an empty stomach. The centre provides at least one well-balanced meal every day around lunch time, and a mid morning snack of porridge made from millet at 10 o'clock. Achievements:
HealthAs in nutrition, one cannot educate or teach a sick child. Most of the children have health issues that, if intervened early enough, can be avoided. Most parents don't take their children for immunization.The centre works with organizations that deal with healthcare to sensitize the parents of the importance of immunization. The parents are educated in HIV Aids, family health and reproductive health and educating them on feeding the children on balanced diet One cannot handle Pre School children at their formative years without intervention in their health issues. The mobile clinic for GOAL Kenya comes to the centre twice a month to treat the children and offers referrals for complicated cases to Kenyatta National Hospital and Mbagathi hospitals. HIV positive children are linked with Lea Toto program which provides them with ARV's and food. Parents are trained on firstaid,how to keep themselves healthy even after testing positive. Achievements:
Income Generating ActivitiesFor Empowering partents sustainability, Little Rock has started income generating activities, like weaving, quilting woodwork and sandal making, involving the parents of the Little Rock children. The products made through these activities are sold at the centre, online (see “Little Rock Shop”) and at various trade fairs. Through the generated income, the parents can buy food, education and other care for their children. The following products are being made by the parents.
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