Impact Corner: PUPA, expanding access to early childhood education

PUPA offers training and certification programs to parents and caregivers in remote and low-income urban areas where children have no access to daycare. Photograph: Mario Castello/PUPA

By Tomohiro Nagasaki, BCtA Impact Lead


Providing high-quality educational materials and training programs to young children in low-income communities in Brazil, PUPA aims to solve the 'achievement gap'

PUPA, an education provider based in Brazil, fills the gap in early childhood development programs in the country. The company tackles this challenge by providing high quality products to low-income communities through effective distribution networks accompanied by customer support and training.

Problem: 
There is an achievement gap in early childhood learning for low-income children.

Solution: 
"Product" – PUPA develops curricula for children under six designed at developing their social competence, language skills and critical thinking. The company created playful learning activities supplemented by LEGO blocks and other toys and materials, packaged as "PUPA packets". PUPA's programs are delivered directly by parents and caregivers and are accompanied by facilitators' guides in both written and audio formats for their reference.

Problem:
Reaching low-income communities is expensive, time-intensive, and it requires trust.

Solution:
"Last-mile Distribution" – The company employs a network of micro-franchises to reach the customers. Micro-franchisees are mostly low-income women entrepreneurs who are well-known in local communities. They are responsible for sales and marketing activities, as well as provision of after-sales support to parents and caregivers.

Problem:
Lack of pedagogical skills of parents and caregivers, to educate children effectively.

Solution:
"Customer Support and Training" – Since parents and caregivers deliver PUPA's programs, the company ensures quality by requiring customers to receive training from PUPA's certified master trainers at the time of purchasing the PUPA packets.

With a goal of reaching 500,000 children in Brazil by 2018, PUPA is well on its way to providing high-quality childhood development programs. The company's business model, focused on fun products, last-mile distribution, and customer support and training is key to providing children from low-income communities with high-quality education that they deserve.

To learn more about PUPA, please read their case study.

Content on this page is provided by Business Call to Action, and originally appeared on the The Guardian Business and the Sustainable Development Goals Hub