“Investing in the first years of a child's life means changing their whole existence.” It is with this deep conviction that Marady guides her actions on a daily basis at Planète Enfants & Développement in Cambodia.
Marady, what made you want to work in the early childhood field?
I'm convinced that a good start in life is crucial for every child. It was during an internship at a national children's hospital that something clicked. I saw very young children affected by diabetes. I then asked myself how I could act upstream, beyond care, to protect the future of the youngest. I wanted to help the children in my community to have a better future.
What does your typical day look like?
I spend most of my time in the field. I visit the partner nurseries and pre-schools, talk at length with the staff and spend time with the children to make sure everyone is doing well.
What does your role as supervisor actually entail?
My role is threefold:
- Support in day-care centers: I visit the centers regularly to provide technical support to the educators. We work together on pre-school pedagogy, child development and center safety.
- Raising awareness of gender equality: I work with teaching teams in nursery schools on the subject of gender-sensitive pedagogy. We carry out several cycles of classroom observations, followed by discussion sessions to analyze challenges and find solutions together.
- The link: I work hand in hand with local authorities to create a solid bridge between childcare facilities and families in the region.
What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
The most complex thing is to support change when supervisors have been working for a long time. Sometimes they forget our exchanges and revert to traditional educational methodologies. Getting people to change requires patience and perseverance.
Do you have a real-life story to share with us?
Yes, I worked with a little girl who was extremely shy and had a delay in her social and language skills. With a lot of support, she finally opened up, played, talked and laughed with others. Seeing this change and progress made me immensely happy.
How would your colleagues describe you?
I think they'd say I'm hard-working, friendly, caring and always ready to support the team spirit!
What do you do to recharge your batteries outside work?
I love spending time with my family, cooking, traveling and reading. I'm also very curious: I always like to learn new things and deepen my knowledge of technology.
What are your hopes for the children's future?
I want my children to grow up healthy, intelligent, loved and cared for. I want them to be safe and have the chance to learn at the right time.
Finally, what message would you like to get across about early childhood?
The first years of a child's life are the most decisive. If we invest in them now, we can positively transform their entire existence.
