The “Rayitos de Sol” and “Los Abelitos” Children’s Centers, in the municipality of Contramaestre, are among those benefiting from the Igalia Project, an initiative that supports early childhood education by providing essential resources for educational activities at this stage.
Zulay Ramos Salas, Head of the Early Childhood Department in the province of Santiago de Cuba, provided details about the project’s operation.
How does the Igalia Project work in our province, and specifically in the municipality of Contramaestre?
This Spanish project, Igalia, is associated with UNICEF and focuses on supporting children’s centers, especially with so-called “stimulation kits,” which are games designed to encourage the imagination and development of young children. Other resources are also provided, such as household appliances like fans and refrigerators, which are distributed to the different centers as they arrive in the area.
How is the municipality of Contramaestre involved in this initiative?
The different centers are selected at the ministerial level, based on the needs of each area. In Contramaestre, “Rayitos de Sol” and “Los Abelitos” are the children’s centers benefiting from the project, and they can extend their resources to the nearest preschools. The remaining early childhood education institutions will be incorporated into this or other projects later.
How do the benefits of the project impact the children’s education?
The benefits range from better food preservation to more comfortable sleep schedules. All of this contributes to a more pleasant learning environment, promoting the well-being of our children. Furthermore, the educational process is enhanced with more opportunities, such as access to educational materials, games, toys, and other helpful resources.
What do the Childcare Centers mean for families today?
The Childcare Centers are part of a broader initiative that supports working mothers, specifically those employed by various organizations and institutions within the region. Services are also provided to other families in the community, such as vulnerable individuals. In this way, both the children and their families benefit.
For the participating Childcare Centers, the Igalia project represents a way to contribute to improving the care provided to children of these ages, both in the municipality of Contramaestre and throughout the province. In this way, Early Childhood Education is moving towards achieving its educational goals.
