The ultimate goal of the Citizen Engagement process is to influence the quality, efficiency and accountability with services provided at different levels in the districts implementing the IEYP projects.

Speaking to Zodiak, Beyond Our Hearts Foundation project coordinator Pemphero Nkhata said that they use Community Score Cards (CSC) to promote and enhance service provision through beneficiary satisfaction ratings.

"These CSC's help us to understand what is happening at a particular CBCC and find a solution to their needs," said Nkhata.

In this regard, Nkhanga said that the two institutions conducted the meetings with community structures around four Community Based Care Centres in the areas of senior chiefs Symon and Mlauli to discuss issues affecting early childhood education and find solutions.

The duty bearers at the interface acknowledged some challenges the community members raised such as lack of basic knowledge on how to run village banks and incentives as the care givers do not receive salaries.

The duty bearers have promised to rectify these challenges in partnership with all district stakeholders beside commending parents for taking active roles in early childhood education and manage backyard gardens where various vegetables are grown for the children's consumption and sale.

Neno District Council Director of Planning and Development Charles Lomoni expressed appreciation to the World Bank for the project saying it is helping to stimulate the young ones and contribute to the development of education in the district.

He said, "I am assuring you that the council will continue supporting all CBCCs in Neno in areas of Nutrition for early childhood education as an early stimulation ensures a positive citizen in the future."

Neno District Social Welfare officer Paul Sosono encouraged care givers, promoters, mother groups and others to continue protecting the welfare of all the children in their CBCC's and report all inhumane acts affecting children.