Early intervention is key
Every milestone matters in early childhood
Child Guardians integrates Early Childhood Development (ECD) activities into primary education as part of its school readiness programme. This effort involves collaborating with education partners and introducing and supporting the implementation of the Ahlan Simsim programme, which was rolled out in 57 schools in 2023 alone.
The programme focuses on supporting the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children under the age of 8, while also engaging caregivers. It provides learning opportunities through play and directly contributes to children’s well-being. These activities are implemented by trained teachers in schools, with technical support and coaching from Child Guardians and partner teams.

A powerful look at how our Early Childhood Development programs helped a young child recover emotionally after the earthquake.
When Crisis Hits, We Adapt
When the devastating earthquake struck on 6 February 2023, the vulnerability of young children increased significantly. In response, Child Guardians introduced tailored ECD activities to support children’s well-being and development during this critical time.
The emergency component of the Ahlan Simsim programme—developed by the IRC—included direct sessions for both children and caregivers. These were delivered by our ECD teachers, who received specialized training from the IRC team to ensure meaningful support for affected families.
In 2023, a total of 4,930 children and 1,240 caregivers were reached through this emergency response.
