About us
Vision
Hands to Hearts International (HHI) envisions a world where all children are nurtured, healthy, safe and set to reach their full developmental potential; and where caregivers are empowered and valued.
Mission
HHI is a 501c3 organization that trains caregivers in early child development and nurturing parenting skills to improve the health and overall development of vulnerable children (ages 0-3) globally.
What we do
HHI has developed a training program that is scalable, replicable, cost effective and applicable to a wide array of caregivers (parents, grandparents, foster parents, health workers, traditional birth attendants, day care and orphanage staff). The program is always led by HHI Certified Community Trainers, who are local leaders, fluent in their community’s language and culture. These Community Trainers teach caregivers how to improve their ability to nurture their children’s language, social, cognitive and physical development, and how to support their health, nutrition and early learning. It also cultivates bonding and attachment, establishing the base for all future relationships and a healthy social fabric. By providing quality information on early childhood development, and connecting this to local tools, traditions and practices, HHI offers skills and information that are applicable and meaningful regardless of resources or literacy.
Outcomes
In its first seven years, HHI’s training reached almost 40,000 caregivers, positively affecting more than 130,000 children. HHI has worked in India, Russia, Uganda, Swaziland and the United States. The effects reported by people who were trained in HHI’s material include:
- Children: Less incidence of illness, faster recovery time, improved weight gain, happier and easier to soothe, greater language development and enhanced overall development.
- Caregivers: 35 to 40% gain in knowledge after the training. More nurturing, more nutritious meal planning, better hygiene, decreased corporal punishment, decrease in domestic violence, greater confidence and ability to advocate and care for their child.
HHI spreads its program through partnerships and consultancies with Government Agencies and NGOs large and small. It can be applied to any situation, including health initiatives, early learning projects and long-term community building. Learn more about our technical services here.
