Kisumu County has launched three baby care centres to improve access to quality and affordable early childhood care for the low-income young mothers as they pursue education.
The three childcare units will be domiciled at Obange, Akado and Ahero Vocational Training Centres (VTC) in Nyakach, Kisumu East and Nyando Sub-counties respectively.
The Kisumu Governor’s wife, Mrs Dorothy Nyong’o, presided over the official launching of the facilities at the Ahero VTC on Thursday.
The model baby care centers will be critical in boosting the wellbeing and safety of babies of young parents as they quench their thirst for education.
Mrs Nyong’o said the Department of Education in partnership with Kidogo Innovations Limited spearheaded the pilot project to be replicated in all the 26 VTCs in the County.
The Centres are fully equipped with play kits, learning kits, a nursing station, and qualified caregivers and will cater for babies aged between 0 to 4 years.
She called on young mothers to embrace vocational training education to gain practical experience in their chosen career path as well as skill development and employability.
Mrs Nyong’o expressed her commitment to protect, promote and fulfill children’s rights as outlined in the Children’s Act.
The Centres will go a long way for female students who have had myriad challenges in parenting, while pursuing their education as well.
Mrs Nyong’o also commissioned the newly constructed 75 capacity dormitory in Ahero VTC named in her honour. The County Government funded the Mama Dorothy dormitory.
The VTC offers various programmes, including Driving School, Food and Beverage, ICT, Masonry and Building technology, Mechanical engineering school, Fashion and Design centre and Beauty and therapy.
By Robert Ojwang’
