Hands to Hearts International (HHI) is a NGO focused on improving the health and development of vulnerable children (ages 0-3) globally by training caregivers in early childhood development (ECD) and nurturing parenting skills

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Hands to Hearts International (HHI) is a NGO focused on improving the health and development of vulnerable children (ages 0-3) globally by training caregivers in early childhood development (ECD) and nurturing parenting skills.What Does HHI Do?HHI provides a simple, adaptable, cost-effective and culturally relevant training program. HHI’s training empowers women/care-givers to improve their ability to nurture their children’s language, social, cognitive and physical development, and to best support their health and nutrition. It also cultivates attachment, establishing the base for all future relationships and a healthy social fabric. By providing quality information on ECD and connecting this to culture-specific tools, traditions and practices, HHI’s information is applicable anywhere and meaningful regardless of resources or literacy.History of HHI in IndiaHHI began working in partnership with orphanages in southern India in 2006. Within a year, India's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) started sending Aganwadi Workers and Helpers, and to date, approximately 4,000 have been trained in HHI’s ECD training.HHI’s core operating partner is Viswa Yuva Kendra, a community development organization based in Odisha that works primarily with impoverished rural populations.In 2012, Save the Children India contracted HHI to apply its methodology to create their first program for children 0– 3 in Andra Pradesh. HHI trained 17 master trainers at Save the Children. These master trainers subsequently trained 292 ICDS workers, and 6,700 mothers, and ultimately benefited 10,000+ vulnerable infants.Through these various partnerships, more than 22,000 caregivers (ASHAs, SHG participants, orphanages’ care-givers, crèches workers, ICDS workers, and mothers) in India have participated in HHI’s training; in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Delhi and Andra Pradesh.Benefits Of HHI’s TrainingFor childrenl Lower episodes of illness and stressl Improved weight gain and nutritional statusl Greater bonding with caregiverl Improved health and overall developmentHands To Hearts InternationalFor women and care-giversl l In Uganda, 193% increase in mothers providing linguistic learning to their babyl 100% increase in providing cognitive stimulation; interacting while feeding their baby; and in time spent playing with their babyl  Lower corporal punishment and stressl  Improved nutrition planning, feeding practicesFor communitiesl  Empowered women and community membersl  Lower long term social costsl  Improved social cohesionl  More child friendly interactions in communitiesHHI WORKS VIA PARTNERSHIPSHHI’s model is extremely flexible and adaptable to the needs and realities of its partners and the communities they serve. HHI’s program is highly replicable, using a Training of Trainers (ToT) model, with follow up support, to build the capacity of partners and care-givers to improve ECD for vulnerable children.Recognition of HHI’s Workl The Asia Regional Network on Early Childhood researched HHI’s work in Odisha as a promising practice, their research was published in 2011 ARNEC report.l In Odisha, an evaluation of HHI’s program funded by the Fetzer Institute is underway.l Advisor to UNESCO Asia on Early Childhood Care and Education, 2011-2013. Knowledge gain on ECD of 35% to 40%

Hands to hearts international

http://publications.azimpremjifoundation.org/517/1/Hands%20To%20Hearts%20International2014Issue%20XXII.pdf

Hands to hearts international

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