Digital Support Systems to Improve Child Health and Development in Peru

Afini is an app designed to help parents provide nurturing environments and stimulation to their young children. Most caregivers currently connect to the platform via Facebook Messenger; once they sign up, the platforms start engaging the caregiver by recommending age-specific health- and development-promoting activities. Rather than just hoping that caregivers will later engage in these activities, the virtual assistant directly observes whether caregivers access the materials for the recommended activity, and asks caregivers to provide feedback on each task.

Home visits entail a visit a children's home every two weeks. During this visit, trained child development agents will engage parents in activities with the child and provide basic toys and learning materials.