We are thrilled to announce that Refugees Early Learning and Playful Parenting (RELAP) has made remarkable strides this quarter. The baseline data collection commenced with a training of Research Assistants in Kitgum, led by Dr. Betty Okot and Paul Okimat the statistician to ensure consistency in the use of tools and research gadgets before engaging with early grade learners, parents, school leaders, teachers and community members in Palabek refugee settlement and neighbouring host communities. 
The first stage of field activity involved parents’ surveys, assessment of primary pupils and pre-schoolers in an exercise that reached 339 parents and children in foundational literacy, numeracy and school readiness. Other 22 stakeholders were engaged through focus group discussions and key informant interviews to get their views about the project.

In August our team at CHDC conducted an interview with one settlement official attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, and it emerged that, parenting is a major challenge in the refugee community due to the stress and strain of life in displacement. In their view, “the project has come at the right time because we have had many partners coming here with initiatives that target schools and children, but not school, parents and children at once like RELAP is doing. So, we welcome it as promising.” officials from Palabek, Paluda reception centre noted.