In low and middle-income countries, particularly in South Africa, over 200 million children under the age of 5 face significant barriers to reaching their full developmental potential, primarily due to socioeconomic factors like poverty. This hinders their ability to communicate effectively, impacting their relationships, education, and overall well-being.
Addressing this critical issue, the Masiphakame Project, translating to "We all rise together" in isiXhosa, focuses on South Africa's Eastern Cape province, where high poverty rates necessitate widespread social grants. This initiative aims to identify and support children with developmental difficulties at an early stage, making a substantial difference in their academic performance and future prospects.