We develop mass communication techniques and materials that inform and support caregivers through the Side-by-Side campaign and translate the campaign’s core components into a comprehensive Community Health Worker-led home visiting system.
All caregivers in South Africa need easy access to useful information on how to support their children’s early development. Caregivers also need a thorough understanding of their rights to access ECD services for themselves and their children.
While mass media communication is effective in reaching large numbers of caregivers with general information, Community Health Worker (CHW)–led home-visiting programmes are best placed to inform and support the most at-risk pregnant women and households with infants. CHWs can share information and refer those in their care to further interventions. Maternal and child healthcare workers, in both clinics and communities, should shift focus from children surviving to children thriving, thereby fully adopting the focus on all elements of care required for ECD into their daily practice.
Mother and child during a Grow Great Champion-led home visit in Johannesburg (2025)
Continue our longstanding collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH) to find new ways to expand the reach of the Side-by-Side campaign from 4.3 mn to 10 mn caregivers each week while at the same time continually improving the quality of the content.
Assist the DoH in training Community Health Workers (CHWs) and other health personnel to act as messengers of Side-by-Side by developing and equipping them with high-quality knowledge materials.
Support the Department of Basic Education’s collaboration with the DoH because Side-by-Side, home visiting programmes, and nutrition must be well articulated in the ECD agenda.
With the Grow Great Campaign, build the delivery and financing mechanisms for CHW-led home visiting programmes.
Advocate for maternal and child health interventions to make up 60% of CHWs’ focus.
Our 7 strategic focus areas are the conditions needed for the early childhood ecosystem to function at scale.
