Plan Australia
Project: China Earthquake Rehabilitation Project
Aim:
To apply Plan's Early Childhood Care and Development approach to assist children, families and communities in earthquake-affected communities in South-Western China to rebuild and improve education services for children.
Region:
Sichuan Province
Project Duration:
FY08 to FY10
Total Public Funds Required:
Thanks to our generous supporters, this project is now fully funded for FY09
Project Overview
Project Background
As the enormity of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in South-Western China has become apparent, so to has the need for long-term rehabilitation of the hundreds of communities devastated by the earthquake. Long-term rehabilitation is where Plan's unique child centred community development approach can provide the great value in helping children and their communities.
Plan is supporting longer-term, post emergency rehabilitation assistance in earthquake affected Sichuan province.
Specifically, Plan's experience and recognised expertise with Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) in China will be incorporated into our rehabilitation program, and will benefit children, their families and communities affected by the earthquake.
Early Childhood Care and Development is one of Plan's program priorities. ECCD programs are proven to have long-term sustainable benefits for children. Quality ECCD programs increase children’s lifelong chances of good health, educational success and psycho-social adaptation.
Plan has worked in the People’s Republic of China for 14 years. Plan China has developed specific expertise in rural education through the implementation of a long-term School Improvement Program and Early Childhood Care and Development Program. In 2008 Plan China signed a A$10 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nokia China to develop a model of effective ECCD service-delivery, benefiting an estimated 70,000 children across 24 counties.
Plan China's geographical focus has been in Shaanxi province (which neighbours Sichuan province), where Plan has established successful partnerships with the Provincial Education Department and County Education Bureaus. Plan China also has an MOU with the Ministry of Education at the national level.
Plan International Australia has had a partnership with Plan China for the implementation of its Early Childhood Care and Development Capacity Building program for over 5 years using AusAID and community raised funds. The program aims to build the capacity of teachers, health workers, caregivers and the government in the delivery of early childcare services, so as to maximise the cognitive, social, physical and mental development of children aged 0 – 7.
Project Aim
In the short-term, Plan will be providing technical support related to child protection and effective child care.
In the longer term Plan is looking to:
- provide training for local teachers and community volunteers in psycho-social support techniques so that they are able to provide effective care for children and their care-givers, and utilise appropriate referral services.
- provide on-going technical advice to local government for the reconstruction of child-friendly schools, so that newly built schools offer a healthy, safe, accessible and appealing learning environment for children, including disabled children.
The Funding Need
A provisional budget of AU$150,000 has been established to be funded from public donations.
If Plan receives more than the amount required, then donations will be transferred to the project for the next financial year or applied to other priority projects in need.
