Innovators’ Response to COVID-19

COVID-19 and related restrictions created major challenges for the programs of Saving Brains innovators and in the lives of the people those programs serve. Childcare centres were closed, program staff were prevented from meeting with families in person, and families faced loss of livelihoods, acute food insecurity and, for example among migrant families in India served by Mobile Creches, sudden and large-scale displacement.

To prepare this brief, we reviewed the experiences and responses of three Saving Brains innovators – aeioTU in Colombia, Mobile Creches in India, and RTCCD in Vietnam – plus one separately funded program – Ana Aqra in Lebanon. We were inspired by the remarkable way the innovators stepped up, with creativity and flexibility, to adapt their programs and supporting the wellbeing of the families served.