Inclusive childhood care centre launched with support from Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partnership

| 19 April 2024 | 115 views

Written by Dr. Zelalem Dessalegn

The Grand Assistive Technology (GAT) Center's inclusive early childhood care and development center was officially opened on Friday, February 16th, 2024. Established in August 2023, the GAT Center, a local non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting disability inclusion by providing appropriate assistive technology and support services for children with disabilities.

During the inauguration of the daycare center, Mr. Zelalem Dessalegn, the founder and director of the GAT Center and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumus, stated that the centre currently serves 20 children with disabilities. The daycare offers early childhood development and care services delivered by trained professionals and community workers. Its primary focus is on facilitating the children's learning and preparing them for inclusive schooling. Additionally, the center provides opportunities for socialization, an essential aspect often lacking for these children at home. Notably, three mothers of children with disabilities have been employed at the center to support the children's activities.

The GAT Center also collaborates closely with mothers of children with disabilities to create job opportunities, aiming to improve their livelihoods and reduce their caregiving responsibilities. Mrs. Muluwork Gessesse, president of the Association of Mothers of Children with Disabilities, emphasized the center's role in alleviating parental burdens.

Mrs. Debre Yehuala, Deputy Mayor of Gondar City, who inaugurated the center, acknowledged its significant contribution to enhancing the quality of life for children with disabilities and promoting community engagement. She also praised the efforts of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in advancing disability inclusion in Ethiopia and East Africa, promising continued support and collaboration.

This initiative is a result of partnerships with Cerebral Palsy Africa and co-funding from the UOG - Queens University Mastercard Foundation scholar program alumni community development grant. Looking ahead, the centre aims to expand its impact by collaborating with ShonaquipSE to import and assemble environmentally and clinically appropriate assistive technology suitable for Ethiopia.

Dr. Molalign Belay, Co-Director of Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program at UOG and director of the evaluation team of this alumni community development project, has been one of the invited guest on the day care project launching workshop and welcomed the project future intervention by inaugurating the center along with MCF Scholars program coordinators and managers.

Finally, Mr. Zelalem Dessalegn and members of GAT Center acknowledge the following organizations and individuals for their effective contributions. Notably, Mastercard Foundation Scholars program for the grant, Cerebral plasy Africa Netherlands, ShonaquipSE South Africa, W/ro Tirngo Beyene, and Dana Enabling Ministry were major organizations and individuals contributing both in kind and in cash.

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