Amref Health Africa Launches ‘Tucheze Tustawi’ Project to Support Early Childhood Development in Refugee and Host Communities in Turkana West Sub-county.

Amref Health Africa, in collaboration with the Turkana County Department of Health Services, introduced the Tucheze Tustawi project as part of the Thrive through Play initiative, funded by the LEGO Foundation. As one of the Thriving through Play cohort member, Amref Health Africa in Kenya will implement the Tucheze Tustawi project to ensure that children 0-3 years living in refugee and host communities in Turkana and Nairobi counties, have access to play opportunities that support their mental health, psychosocial well-being and enhance future success in learning and life. 

During a courtesy visit and inception meeting with the CECM for Turkana County Department of Health Services, Fidelina Ndunge the Tucheze Tustawi Project Manager emphasized the vital role of the health sector in using play as a tool for mental health and psychosocial support for children 0-3 years, particularly in refugee and host communities. She stressed that integrating the project within primary healthcare structures offers a unique opportunity to enhance the capacity of Community Health Promoters and healthcare workers. “These frontline professionals have frequent touchpoints with children, caregivers, and families, making them crucial in supporting children aged 0-3 years during this critical developmental stage. By strengthening their skills, we can ensure that play practices become not only sustainable but also an impactful part of early childhood development,” she explained.

Despite the insurmountable evidence on the importance of early childhood development, play interventions tailored to address mental health and psychosocial well-being for children aged 0-3 years are often overlooked. Resources and programs often focus on older children, leaving early childhood caregivers without appropriate tools for this critical developmental period. The Tucheze Tustawi Project specifically targets this age group, recognizing that the first 1,000 days are vital for forming neural pathways that impact health, learning, productivity, and social well-being throughout life.

The project will use play interventions and feasible approaches that effectively improve children’s developmental milestones. It will support play-based, contextualized materials for children, parents, caregivers, community health promoters, and primary healthcare providers to support socio-emotional learning and mental well-being. Additionally, it will reinforce support for caregivers’ well-being and responsive caregiving through existing parent-child groups and initiatives, creating environments conducive to thrive through play.

By empowering parents, caregivers, community health promoters, and health providers, the program ensures that play practices are institutionalized and sustainable. In collaboration with county governments and the refugee and host communities, the program will work to create safe play areas for children, addressing a significant gap in the target counties.

To enhance the coordination mechanism, the project will leverage on existing government and ecosystem players’ structures, projects and frameworks e.g. Transcend, IRR Program, SIWA, TEACH WELL, KISEDEP and Shirika Plan among others to contribute to better health and social outcomes.

The project will collaborate with national government including the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (Directorate of Children Services), Ministry of Interior (Department of Refugee services) and Ministry of Health (Divisions Family Health and Primary Healthcare), Council of Governors and County Governments of Turkana and Nairobi to deliver the project. 

Dr. Joseph Epem, the County Executive Committee Member for Health in Turkana, commended Amref’s ongoing work with local communities. “It is crucial that the support we offer to refugees is not isolated from the development needs of host populations. This project brings a unique opportunity for us to co-create solutions that will benefit both communities,” he noted. The program’s success hinges on local ownership and alignment with county the priorities, which is why the first six months of the three-year grant will focus on co-creating solutions with the community. 

Amref’s approach draws from its core mission to build people-centred health systems and address social determinants of health, particularly in the areas of education. By integrating play, supporting caregivers, and empowering communities, Tucheze Tustawi aims to build a strong foundation for the children of Turkana and Nairobi counties, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential. 

Nyambura Gitonga: Communications, Family and Reproductive Health Program