Yumbe District, Uganda – LABE is proud to be part of the Kulea Watoto 2.0 consortium, a collaborative initiative that is strengthening access to quality early childhood development services for vulnerable children and their caregivers in Uganda.
Building on lessons from the first phase, Kulea Watoto 2.0 brings together LABE, the AfriChild Centre, Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Kabarole Research and Resource Centre (KRC Uganda). The project is supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and adopts a two-generation approach that simultaneously supports young children and the adults who care for them.
At LABE, the project will be implemented in Yumbe District, where the organisation will strengthen community-based Home Learning Centres, build the capacity of Parent Educators and Young Facilitators, and support caregivers with parenting knowledge and livelihood opportunities that enable them to provide nurturing care for their children.
The project was officially launched during a national inception, followed by a district rollout in Yumbe that brought together consortium partners, district leaders, representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UNHCR, and other stakeholders. The meeting provided an opportunity to align on the project’s implementation strategy, clarify partner roles and responsibilities, and strengthen collaboration towards achieving shared outcomes.
Through Kulea Watoto 2.0, LABE will continue advancing its Home-Based Early Childhood Development (HBECD) Model, which places communities at the centre of children’s learning and development. The model equips caregivers with practical skills to create safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environments while strengthening local systems that sustain early learning beyond project support.
Recognising that children’s development is closely linked to the wellbeing of their caregivers, the project integrates parenting support with household economic strengthening. Caregivers will be supported to participate in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), establish income-generating activities, and strengthen household resilience, creating a more stable environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive.
Beyond direct implementation, Kulea Watoto 2.0 will also contribute to strengthening the broader early childhood ecosystem through advocacy, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with local governments and humanitarian actors. The project aligns with Uganda’s commitment to expanding equitable access to quality Early Childhood Care and Education, particularly for children living in refugee-hosting communities and other underserved settings.
As implementation begins, LABE looks forward to working closely with communities, local leaders, and consortium partners to ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience nurturing care, meaningful early learning, and a strong foundation for lifelong development.