The challenge: The brain develops most rapidly in the first six years of a child’s life. Yet, worldwide, 250 million children are not reaching their potential during these years. In 2015, an estimated six million children died before reaching age five, mostly because of highly preventable and treatable diseases. In developing countries, hundreds of millions of children do not have access to pre-school; they live in areas affected by armed conflict and climate-related disasters; and their growth is stunted, which harms their brain development.
Our solution: We work to ensure that girls and boys have a good start in life by influencing the environments in which they are growing. By supporting educators, parents, and governments in promoting and providing high-quality early learning opportunities, we are helping secure a brighter future for communities around the world.
Duration: 2017-2022 Location: Kenya Reach: This is a research project with no direct beneficiaries. Budget: $2 million (International Development Research Centre: $1
Duration: 2018-2021 Location: Kenya Reach: 10,000 children aged 4 to 6 (5,000 girls and 5,000 boys) Budget: $2 million (Grand Challenges
We were all once children. We were all once young, full of hope and potential.
AKFC works with partners in Bangladesh to improve access to quality early childhood care in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
