The Rebecca Foundation has introduced “Market Crèches” project under its ‘Terema Initiative’ to cater for toddlers and pre-schoolers of traders. This is to help the traders concentrate on their businesses.
Currently, four of the crèches are under construction at the Dome and Adenta markets in Accra; Koforidua Zongo Market in the Eastern Region; and the Apremdo Market in the Western Region.
It is expected that each crèche will have auxiliary facilities, including washrooms, changing rooms, a health post and a canteen. Each will be accommodating about 100-150 children.
The Rebecca Foundation believes that building these crèches will serve as safe, accessible, and affordable childcare centres, which will give women and families the choice and opportunity to work in tranquillity.
The foundation believes the many societal dangers that these vulnerable children are exposed to in the markets adversely affect the future of the children, and the peace and wellbeing of mothers and families. Some dangers the children go through include kidnapping, child abuse, among others.
Appreciation
Speaking to the media about the project, some market women in Accra disclosed that they were yearning for such crèches that would be closer to where they trade, to offer a conducive learning environment for their pre-schoolers.
They welcomed the Rebecca Foundation’s Market crèches initiative, and said it would help in keeping their children from loitering in the markets and getting exposed to the filth and noise, usually found in market centres.
A trader who deals in children’s clothing at one of the centres, Margaret Donkor, said due to the Free SHS programme, they are unable to get babysitters to take care of their kids, adding the crèches would go a long way to help them.
To ensure relevance and sustainability of the project, the Foundation is working closely with relevant state institutions and agencies as well as the beneficiary market associations to ensure that qualified personnel are recruited to manage the facilities.
The collaboration would also help in identifying other societal needs of the market women and vulnerable children in order to provide the needed solution to them.
