Promoting health and well-being for preschool children in the Côte d’Ivoire

As part of the HOME II project supported by the Italian Commission for International Adoptions, AVSI organized a training workshop for preschool educators and social workers to enhance child protection in the Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone. The workshop focused on equipping 16 preschool educators from partner organizations and two social workers from the Ministry with vital skills, with a central emphasis on child health.

Contagious childhood illnesses pose a significant threat to young children during their critical development stages. Places like preschools, shelters, and community centers, while essential for child protection, can also become hotspots for disease transmission. To address this, AVSI provided training on preventive measures and first aid techniques to respond promptly and effectively when health issues arise.

The first day of the workshop featured contributions from leading health professionals, including Professor Azago-Kouadio Richard, a pediatrician and geneticist; Dr. N'Guessan Amani Pokou Rebecca Epse Kouamé, head of the child and adolescent health program at the National Mother and Child Health Service; and Dr. Vally Prisca Épse Abé, a health economist and AVSI project coordinator. They presented essential guidelines for managing common childhood illnesses, providing first aid in school environments, and maintaining hygiene standards to protect children’s well-being.

Through interactive sessions, the participants gained practical tools to handle health emergencies like fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. Trainers also addressed how to engage parents, especially in cases where medical follow-up is needed, and shared strategies to overcome resistance from families hesitant to seek hospital care.

On the second day, the workshop focused on strengthening resources for child protection. AVSI donated 16 fully equipped first aid kits to the Ministry of Women, Family, and Children (MFFE) for use in partner centers. Training modules covered the importance of vaccinations and proper use of first aid kits in preschool settings. The session ended with a set of recommendations to guide future activities.

Koutouan Félicité Deguénon, who oversees the coordination of child protection structures at the Ministry, praised the collaboration:
“The work AVSI is doing meets our Ministry’s priorities. Health in preschool settings is a fundamental pillar of our mission. Last month, we received valuable materials to enhance our technical capacities, and today’s training further builds on those efforts. We are grateful for this ongoing support.”

The HOME II project, now in its second phase, focuses on two critical aspects of early childhood: health and nutrition, alongside cognitive development. Since the launch of this phase, awareness campaigns in Community Action Centers for Children (CACE) have emphasized vaccination, deworming, and hygiene. So far, over 101 children have been vaccinated against yellow fever and typhoid, and more than 1,000 have received deworming treatments.