IsraAID Dominica and Ministry of Education Scale Up Education Resilience, Distributing ‘Kay & Kelan’ Level 2 Disaster Toolkits to 21 Vulnerable Primary Schools

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19 hours ago
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IsraAID Dominica, in its continuous partnership with the Ministry of Education, has officially launched the Kay & Kelan Early Childhood Disaster Risk Reduction (ECDRR) Toolkit

Level 2, distributing these vital resources to 21 of the most vulnerable primary schools across Dominica.

Tailored specifically for older early learners in Grades 1–3 (ages 6–8), this rollout marks a major milestone in transitioning the country’s disaster preparedness into a fully integrated, regional model of school-based climate resilience.

Since 2017, IsraAID has worked hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Education and key stakeholders to enhance disaster resilience across the education sector. Following the success of the initial Kay & Kelan initiative—which reached preschools and pre-K classes island-wide by integrating age-appropriate

disaster preparedness concepts into early learning—the Level 2 toolkit was developed to target older primary school students. The toolkit provides highly interactive, play-based resources to help teachers engage students on critical disaster risk reduction (DRR) topics, such as how to prepare for and respond

to various hazards.

What began as a localized project in Dominica has now matured into a sustainable, independent framework with a significant footprint across the Eastern Caribbean.

The Director of IsraAID Dominica and the Eastern Caribbean, Synde Moses Joseph, emphasized the long-term impact of this milestone: "We want to thank the Ministry of Education—the relationship we have built over the years is one of genuine collaboration. You not only received our programs, you have helped us shape them, allowing us access to

your schools, educators, and students. The Kay & Kelan initiative no longer needs IsraAID to carry it.

This initiative has grown into a multi-component, digitally enabled school-based resilience curriculum. Its expansion across the region has been a resounding success, proving its value in Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent. Now, we are asking the Ministry to champion this initiative and become a guiding model of

educational resilience for the rest of the region."

This close collaboration has successfully institutionalized a culture of safety within primary education, empowering local educators to lead the safety curriculum independently while equipping the next generation with life-saving skills.

Jeffrey Blaize, Chief Education Officer, emphasized the holistic approach to student safety and psychological recovery: "I must emphasize that the Ministry of Education is deeply focused on safety. We pride ourselves on the safety of our students—not just from environmental hazards, but in all aspects. We work to ensure that our school spaces are child-friendly so that students feel comfortable.

When children are comfortable, they are already

halfway through their learning process. We establish safety, then comfort, and then we have the learning.

Furthermore, maintaining education in communities affected by disasters helps bring back a vital sense of normalcy. In a crisis situation, education supports children psychologically and emotionally, keeping them

safe while helping them cope with these immense challenges."

Nadia Ferrol, Assistant Chief Education Officer, celebrated the impact on local school communities:"This initiative helps teachers foster a culture of safety and empowers children with knowledge and skills that can help protect them, their families, and their communities. We want to thank IsraAID for their contribution

and investment in the resilience of our schools across the island."

Inside the Level 2 Toolkit:

The comprehensive kit contains a suite of interactive, curriculum-aligned components:

• 1 Kay & Kelan Can Prepare for Different Hazards Student Activity Book (Level 2)

• 1 Kay & Kelan Can Prepare for Different Hazards Teacher’s Manual (Level 2)

• 1 Teacher’s Guide for Incorporating DRR Topics into the Curriculum

• 1 Toolkit Guide

• 26 Educational Flashcards

• 1 USB Flash Drive loaded with original DRR Songs

• Hazards and Safety Board Game

• "Be Safe!" Card Game

• "What’s in the Go-bag?" 100-Piece Puzzle