Changemakers Lab Module 2: Empowering Childminders

When you are familiar with movie trilogies, you are probably in the know that the part two of the movie is where the producers decide that it shouldn't match the same entertainment value as the first nor the last.  You see, when we first start a movie trilogy may it be an epic movie or a real good comedy, sometimes we never know that there will be even a part one or two because it will depend on the audience's reception to the first release.   The thing is with the second release, I admit that it is designed to get the audience anticipate it through sneak peeks, new characters,  or surprise twists but only to aim to disappoint at the end of the movie.   One of the main or relevant supporting characters died, the evil plot thickens, the antagonists wins, or there is no light of hope at the end of the day.  And just like that, they will end the movie abruptly to look forward to how many years before the third release comes or none at all.  

If you are still here with me, you would probably ask "What did I just read in World Pulse?" or "Is this Celebrity News"?  But thank you for bearing with me as I explain the relevance of movie trilogies (or more) to the same journey I am having right now.  I do feel that I am going through a story marathon where at first in the initial story and the first update I have made, I can applaud myself for giving a good head start to provide you with why a toy library initiative is critical in the early years development.  And in this initiative update, I would like to expound more on the learning outcomes in the early years as well as the ripple effect of investing in the early childhood sector on the family's general well-being.  But similar to a movie trilogy, we are now experiencing that bump, the twist, the adversary, and new challenges that our heroin is now facing. 

The first bump that I have come across is the toys that will be placed in the toy library in question.  If you have been following my initiative, you would have come across that I plan to invest in wooden educational toys for children.  Let me refresh your memory that the toy comes modular and eco-friendly in design making it possible to transform the toy in not just 1, 2, or 3 but up to 24 possible configurations, allowing it to grow with children from babies to preschool years.  Further to this with its recycled wooden tree that is a solid hardwood tree, this type of toy can last generations allowing it to impact more children throughout the years in the community that will benefit it.  So now, the hurdle that I have come across is that there are product development challenges that I have been facing and it has been a year of pivoting, chasing, and correcting designs to meet up to expectations.  And looking at it in a long term, I do think that I won't be able to accomplish this in the next two years as the movement of the production with the factory is a slow burn, especially with a product that has up to twenty play patterns.  Understanding the investment, time, and energy that I need to make this work, I have come to a decision to hold this toy project to make room for more.  

The second blockage that I encountered is the market that I am currently in.  You see, our family moves from country to country depending on where our means of livelihood takes us.  Opportunities allow us to be immersed and take in all these different cultures, which makes our family's experience unique compared to other how young families are raised.  Now in this new country, we have been living for almost a year now, I have been shocked (yes, it is a strong word) that the cost of shipping products from here to all over the world is at least 6.75x more expensive than the places we have already been.  Our products are now on hold where I stand because instead of paying the usual USD$10 for basic shipping excluding the postal insurance and import duties, I need to shell out $60-80 for a single toy.  In addition despite this country being known for its regional hub, there are a lot of countries I am unable to ship to nor have limited shipping options making it impossible for me to send post.  As a stay-at-home mum with no source of income and my last job's savings slowly depleting, I do have to keep in mind where my finances go and this has been a huge delay to where I need to go..  At present time, I am only able to increment my impact by 1 as the set of toys I have won't move until I figure out a way to source more affordable alternatives.  

Now, I do feel strongly about this toy library initiative because I do believe in its power to harness a childminder's wellbeing.  Not only does it empower the parent, guardian, or educator, to have the tools he needs to teach future and lifelong skills, but engaging educational toys allow the children to focus on their play, game, or task for a time so that the parent can also focus on other things during this free play.  We've seen childminders carry their children while cooking, soothing a child while the environment is a mess, and piles of laundry while feeding a child - these unavoidable situations impact a childminder's general well-being.  They give so much to these children that sometimes they, too, forget about themselves, unable to take care of their needs like basic hygiene, have lunch, or have a moment of still quietness.  Without balance, a different purpose, or thinking challenges, no matter how caring a childminder is, there comes a point in time that they start to get frustrated especially when the situation is out of their control.  And this does increase the probability of domestic violence, particularly of child abuse.    With good foundations of looking at everyone's needs and being equipped with tools that help everyone cope with the hard work that is of taking care of children, we provide childminders a time to reset their moments and regain their energy.

You see, childminders have been filling everyone else's cup full.  But who does theirs?