Moments That Matter®
Our flagship early childhood development program partnership
The first three years of a child’s life are a critical window of opportunity. During this time, a child’s physical, emotional and cognitive development lays the foundation for a healthy, thriving future.
Episcopal Relief & Development’s Moments That Matter® (MTM) program is transforming this pivotal period. Generous donations and funding from organizations, including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the Episcopal Health Foundation, support it.
Our program equips parents, caregivers and communities with the tools and knowledge to give children the best possible start in life.
What we do
At the heart of Moments That Matter® is a community-driven approach to early childhood development. We partner with trusted local leaders and volunteers who know their communities best.
Our program is aligned with the core pillars of the nurturing care framework that make meaningful, measurable differences in the lives of children and caregivers:
- Responsive care and early learning
Caregivers learn strategies that promote nurturing care, encourage early learning, and foster strong emotional bonds. - Maternal and child health and nutrition
Families gain access to health education and resources, such as nutrition training, kitchen gardens, and age-appropriate diet guidance, ensuring children grow up healthy and resilient. - Family livelihoods
Caregivers participate in savings and loan groups, gaining training and small loans to build stable, sustainable futures for their families. - Security and safety
Caregivers learn how to create safe, nurturing environments, free from neglect and violence, so that children can thrive.
MTM also focuses on engaging fathers and male caregivers. Our local teams facilitate learning groups to teach important skills, share ideas and create peer-to-peer support.
Why Moments That Matter® works
The success of Moments That Matter® lies in its holistic, locally-led approach. By integrating parenting support, health education and economic stability, the program nurtures children and strengthens entire communities.
- Programs are guided by trusted local leaders and volunteers deeply rooted in their communities.
- Ongoing evaluation ensures measurable impact and continuous improvement.
- By involving local change agents in every step, MTM fosters long-term sustainability and resilience.
Our impact over time
Moments That Matter® has been proven effective through multiple evaluations. Since 2012, among other outcomes, MTM has:
- Reached more than 90,000 children aged 0-3 and their caregivers.
- Supported a 40% increase in children meeting key developmental milestones.
- Helped establish more than 200 savings and loans groups
- Helped establish more than 2,200 caregiver support groups
Read a recent case study, summary report and impact report for more program outcomes across rural communities in Africa.
Our impact in 2023
Explore the countries below to see how Moments That Matter® changed lives in 2023.
Ghana | Kenya | Malawi | Mozambique | Namibia | Zambia
