USAID
launches second phase for early education program
August 24, 2004
USAID
launched the second phase of the activity known as Early
Childhood and Family Education known as EDIFAM. USAID director,
Mark Silverman and Ana Ligia de Saca, First Lady of El Salvador,
participated in the ceremony.
The general objectives of EDIFAM are to improve education
and childcare for children since childbirth to six years
old in the poor rural areas of El Salvador for more effective
and equal participation in school.
The EDIFAM program is funded by USAID with a total cost
of $8.5 million, and it is coordinated through the Salvadoran
Institute for Integrated Development of Children and Youth
(ISNA), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and implemented
by the international institutions: Educational Development
Center (EDC), Save the Children, Sesame Workshop, American
Institute for Research, UNICEF and other local non government
institutions.
During the week, Sesame Workshop, known as Plaza Sesamo,
will film TV spots that will be part of the local campaign.
The total cost is $350,000. The puppet “Lola” and
some children will promote and sensitize the public in general
about the importance of care, education, and health for children
under seven years of age. The campaign will also use play
as a learning tool in promotion of pre-literacy. The objective
of the awareness campaign is part of component 4 of the EDIFAM
activity, and it consists of incrementing public awareness
about the importance of early childhood and preschool education.
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