Meet 3 Early Childhood Development Champions

Devoted to creating a brighter future for every child in their countries

 

Sahilu Baye, MBA, MA, BA & IDPM

 

 

Sahilu Baye is a psychologist, educator and advocate for children’s rights in Ethiopia. In 2003, he established the Enrichment Center for the Disadvantaged (ECD) in Addis Ababa, to provide orphaned and children at-risk with basic needs. Since opening its doors 15 years ago, ECD has helped 1,000 children and trained more than 80 preschool teachers, child caregivers and social welfare supporting staff.

 

 

 

Sahilu Baye is a graduate of the first cohort of the International MA Program in Child
Development. He recently presented at the “Impact for Good” event in Ethiopia, attended by
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

 

How did your studies at the University of Haifa contribute to your professional growth?

S.B. - The knowledge I gained opened my eyes to new approaches and strategies for protecting the rights and healthy growth of children in developing nations such as mine, especially those who are most vulnerable. For me it was a real game changer. After graduation, I returned home with renewed vigor and skill sets that have enabled me to initiate effective intervention programs to improve the quality of early care and education and reach out to a greater number of Ethiopian children.

What do you hope to achieve?

S.B. - In Ethiopia, social welfare funding and services are very limited. My goal is to provide safe, stable and nurturing environments for all children, so that they may grow, learn, and thrive. I am also working with stakeholders to shape policies that will provide support for orphaned and vulnerable children, as well as economically disadvantaged women.

 

 

Dr. Nana Esi Gaisie, MD, GP

Dr. Nana Esi Gaise began working with children with special needs at a young age. She hoped that as a doctor she would be able to improve the quality of life of children with disabilities and their parents. After completing medical school, she continued to search for answers. Her eureka moment came during her studies at the University of Haifa. Upon returning to Ghana, she set up a clinic for children with special needs at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital Department of Pediatrics, a major referral facility in Western Ghana. To date, the clinic has provided services to more than 100 children. In addition, she runs group intervention programs for families addressing the emotional, psychological, cognitive and social needs of parents caring for special needs children.

 

 

 

Nana Esi Gaise, pictured here in Tiberius, is a graduate of the first cohort of the
International MA Program in Child Development.

 

What was the most valuable insight you gained from the program?

N.E.G. - The program introduced me to new approaches including holistic care. Beyond providing medical care, I now aim to provide my patients with opportunities that could enhance their development and maximize their potential so that they will go on to lead better lives. Working with families is a key component of this, helping them develop coping strategies to handle the impact of disability upon the family, and maintain a positive outlook for their child.

What are your future goals?

N.E.G. - In my country there is much to do to improve education and services for children with special needs. I hope to raise funds for the establishment of a child development center at my hospital, and to expand support group programming for families affected by cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, and malnourishment. I also intend to continue to broaden my knowledge and advocacy work to influence public policy and resource allocation in support of early childhood development and disability issues.

  

Grace Mwangi, MA, BSW

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Mwangi, a family social worker and child advocate, is working with government agencies to transform child protective services for underprivileged children. She is the Country Director of Give a Child a Family in Kenya - an organization providing early intervention programs and one-on-one home visits impacting hundreds of Kenyan mothers and children. Recently, she also became involved with SOS Children’s Villages International Kenya and Tanzania chapters, a global federation supporting children and their reintegration back into their communities and families.

 

 

Grace Mwangi, second from right, with beneficiaries of Pumwani Maternity Hospital program,
is a graduate of the third cohort of the International MA Program in Child Development. 

 

Looking back, what was the most meaningful part of your Haifa study experience?

G.M. - It was the best opportunity of my life! The environment was conductive to learning and very friendly. I was able to interact with peers from all corners of the world. I also gained a deeper appreciation for multidisciplinary approaches to research. I am so very grateful for the generous scholarship that made it possible for me to come here.

Can you point to a program you have implemented closest to your heart?

G.M. - Family strengthening programs target disadvantaged families to prevent crises that can lead to neglect, abuse and even child abandonment. I have been operating such a program at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya’s largest maternity hospital, which reaches over 800 mothers annually. The program, designed to provide mothers with basic counselling, support services and family education, has made a marked impact on the number of cases of child abandonment at the hospital. Last year, I worked closely with four women who planned to give up their children – among them a teen mother. In the end, all four decided to keep their babies. Happy endings like these are the best perks of my job.

 

 

About the Program

The International MA Program in Child Development trains professionals in early childhood education and intervention strategies, preparing them for leadership roles in advancing programs and policies that will improve the lives of at-risk children in developing countries. Founded and directed by Prof. Avi Sagi-Schwartz, an international expert in early child development, each year it attracts greater numbers of professionals from around the world. Now in its fourth year, the current cohort boasts 21 graduate students from 17 countries.

The International MA Program in Child Development is offered by the Center for the Study of Child Development in conjunction with the International School. In addition to its academic mission, the program nurtures goodwill ambassadors for Israel.

The program has enjoyed generous funding by Vital Capital Fund in Israel, the Open Society Foundations in the UK and the Two Lilies Fund from the USA. Their support provides tuition and living stipends to students from developing countries. For more information about continued funding opportunities, please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..