Growing Up with Joy: Palden’s Journey at ECD

Palden Syangbo is a 4-year-old boy from Magargau village of Konjyosome Rural Municipality. He lives with his family, including his older brother, Palsang, who is in third grade at Sarashwoti School. Palden’s family depends on traditional agriculture for their livelihood.

Living close to the school, Palden’s mother began taking him to the Early Childhood Development (ECD) center when he was just 2 years old. At first, he found it difficult to be away from his mother and often returned home throughout the day. However, over time, he adapted to the environment, and the ECD became like a second home to him.

Today, Palden attends the ECD regularly and engages enthusiastically in various activities. He particularly enjoys playing games while also learning important academic skills, such as recognizing and writing the English and Nepali alphabets. His holistic development is evident as he learns about teamwork, discipline, and the distinction between right and wrong.

The ECD Facilitator of Shree Sharashwati ECD, Ms. Kamala Ghalan, praises his energy and enthusiasm, noting that he often stays after school to continue playing. The child-friendly environment at the ECD, with abundant play and learning materials, has allowed Palden and his classmates to thrive. This nurturing space fosters not only formal education but also practical life skills like time management and perseverance.

The READ Child-III project is dedicated in creating such supportive environments for children like Palden, ensuring their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. The aim of the project is to make every child feel safe and supported on their learning journey. This project is being funded by Moving Mountain e.V., German.