Improving Care of Young Children in AIDS-Affected Communities of Kenya
Ready to Learn received funding from the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund at the U.S. Agency for International Development to improve the care of children under age 5 in AIDS-affected communities of Kenya. This three-year project will support families and communities to improve the physical, psychosocial, and emotional care of vulnerable young children. The project will analyze existing efforts, build models for effective support to communities caring for young children affected by AIDS, disseminate information, sponsor exchange visits among community-based organizations and churches, develop training modules on home and community-based care for young children affected by AIDS, and offer training for Master Trainers. In year two, community-based model programs and local capacity-building partnerships will be launched. Ready to Learn will assist with participatory assessment and mobilization, program design, community-based monitoring and evaluation, and tools and strategies for use and adaptation by interested community groups in other areas. Information analysis, dissemination and advocacy will be emphasized in year three.

Supporting Young Children’s Development in Displaced Communities
Ready to Learn is exploring ways to bring early childhood development activities to mothers and children coming to supplementary feeding centers in southern Sudan and other displaced communities. Interested community health workers will work with community mothers and elders to develop simple programs for feeding waiting periods involving storytelling, singing, games, and mothers discussion groups. A training module supporting community health workers to give parents information and ideas about child development activities and one to support parents in organizing cooperative child care will also be offered.

Technical Support to the U.S. Agency for International Development in Jamaica for UNICEF’s Proposed Transitions Project from Pre-Primary to Primary School
Ready to Learn conducted an assessment of proposed USAID support to a UNICEF initiative for early childhood education and developed a strategic plan for USAID investment in the pre-primary to primary school transition program.

Situational Assessment and USAID Program Design for HIV/AIDS-Affected Children in Zimbabwe
USAID requested assistance through the WIDTECH project with a situation analysis and strategic planning to address HIV/AIDS in communities, with an emphasis on children.

Global Strategy On Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices
Dr. Chloe O’Gara participated as a technical consultant in the World Health Organization and UNICEF’s Global Technical Consultation on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Geneva, Switzerland. The consultation’s objectives were to prepare a global technical review of infant and young child feeding practices and to develop a comprehensive strategy to guide WHO and its member states in promoting sound infant and young child feeding practices at the start of the third millennium.

Assessment and Improvement of Care for AIDS-Affected Children under Age Five
D. Lusk, S.L. Huffman, C. O’Gara, May, 2000

AIDS-affected children include orphans and children whose parents are ill or overwhelmed by caring for other family members who are ill. Very little is known specifically about the needs and problems of AIDS-affected children under five; most orphan assessments and programs examine the entire 0-15 (or 0-18) year age span, without addressing the unique health, nutrition and psychosocial needs of young children. This age group needs special attention in AIDS- affected communities. This paper presents 1) current knowledge about the care situation of AIDS-affected children under 5 years of age, 2) existing tools relevant for assessing young child care in AIDS affected settings, and 3) new assessment tools specifically designed to assess the care of AIDS-affected children under 5.

Modified Breastfeeding for HIV-Positive Mothers in Africa: Issues and Challenges Associated with the Recommendation for Early Cessation of Breastfeeding
S. L. Huffman, D.Lusk, E.R. Zehner, C. O’Gara, E.G. Piwoz October, 2000

Many recent recommendations to reduce mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV have suggested abrupt weaning at 3-6 months. This approach however has many problems that could negatively impact the lives of young children and their mothers. This paper explores the many issues associated with early and rapid cessation of breastfeeding.

Essential Health Sector Actions for Maternal Nutrition in Africa
S.L. Huffman, et al.
This background paper gives the scientific justification for 6 health sector actions to improve maternal nutrition in Africa, including: promotion of adequate micronutrient intake during pregnancy and lactation; promotion of adequate food intake during pregnancy and lactation; prevention and treatment of malaria during pregnancy; prevention and treatment of hookworm infection during pregnancy in endemic areas; promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months; child spacing of three years or longer.

Social Marketing Multiple Micronutrient Supplements in Bolivia: A Linkages Pilot Project
S.L. Huffman
LINKAGES presentation: at USAID Oct. 30 with E. Warnick, PSI Behavioral Dimensions of Maternal Health & Survival S.L. Huffman Co-sponsored by USAID-funded projects, MotherCare & CHANGE, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, June 5–7, 2000

Community-based Early Childhood Development in the Kyrgyz Republic
This Asian Development Bank-funded project will assist the government of the Kyrgyz Republic to design a proposal for ADB support. The objectives of the proposed integrated early childhood development program are to eliminate preventable malnutrition, death, and disability; assess and optimize the emotional and cognitive needs of children; prepare each child for life-long learning through appropriate care and interactive instruction; and increase the contributions of a highly educated labor force to future economic development.

Review of Early Childhood Education and Human Capital Formation in Egypt
With World Bank funding, Ready to Learn will support the government of Egypt to define childhood education policies, strategies, and programs; organize a symposium on early childhood education; study the linkages between early, basic, and tertiary education and the workplace; provide a cost-benefit analysis of different approaches to early childhood education; and design pilot tests of different approaches to improving early childhood education.