Part of the funds provided by the STARS Impact Award will be used to renovate and expand the ECD centres.  With approximately 300 children attending the centres every year, the Award will allow SIDAREC to meet the needs of an additional 200 and train 1,000 extra children and youth per year in basic computer skills.  In addition to this, SIDAREC will set up another community library and  continue to conduct workshops on child rights targeting parents and community members to address the problem of abuse.

The ECD programme is deemed successful because it meets the needs of vulnerable young people by providing them with space to study, play, or relax and a voice within their communities. SIDAREC centres and library areas supply children and youth with free access to books, the internet, video games and television, ensuring a safe and stimulating environment, which contrast heavily with their living spaced. The children’s radio programme and other discussion forums allow youth to interact with other members of the community in a positive and creative way.

By creating a positive reading culture and demystifying computers, SIDAREC encourages young people to have greater expectations for their future and gives them the skills they need to achieve their goals.

The STARS Impact Award will also enhance SIDAREC’s institutional capacity by helping to improve its already impressive levels of efficiency and governance, and by supporting its search for more diverse and sustainable sources of income.