Creating Joy and Comfort in Clinics: ECD Corners in Action

By Faten Abu Yabes, Early Child Development Technical & Grants Coordinator, World Vision occupied Palestinian territory

In Khalet Saleh Clinic, nestled in the vulnerable community of Yatta in South Hebron, a simple yet powerful change is transforming the experience of young children and their caregivers. Thanks to World Vision’s Go Baby Go program, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) corner now offers a safe, stimulating space for play, learning, and care.

Once a stressful environment where children waited in silence and mothers lacked privacy to breastfeed, the clinic now buzzes with quiet joy. The ECD corner serves around 110 children under age six, allowing them to explore books, toys, and interactive games while waiting for appointments. For mothers, it’s a space of comfort and dignity.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) bring the space to life. They engage children in early learning activities, support mothers with health and parenting awareness, and assist clinic staff, all while helping monitor child growth. Their presence turns waiting time into an opportunity for development and connection.

This is just one of 28 primary healthcare clinics where World Vision Jerusalem West Bank & Gaza has established ECD corners, reaching over 10,462 children each year. With 71 trained CHWs, these corners are not just play areas—they are gateways to healthier, happier childhoods.

This International Day of Play, we celebrate how something as simple as a corner filled with colour and care can spark hope, learning, and resilience in even the most underserved places.