Ikamva Labantu’s largest sector is our Early Childhood Development Sector, which consists of nearly 400 formal and informal preschool facilities. Ikamva Labantu provides resources in the form of comprehensive early childhood development training, primary health care and psycho-social support, access and improvement to land and buildings, food security, centre administration, peer support and assistance accessing and maintaining government subsidy.
The over 25,000 children in the sector come from areas including Crossroads, Delft, Dunoon, Guguletu, Harare, Joe Slovo, Khayelitsha, KTC, Kuyasa, Langa, Makhasa, Mandela Park, Mfuleni, Mitchell’s Plain, Milnerton, Nyanga East, and Phillipi.
I was fortunate enough to go out into the field with ECD project coordinator Jade Wasserman. We were also joined by ECD Community Based Worker Okhanyo for the day. We visited several chreches and got to speak to the mamas who run them as well as play with the children.
The first crèche we visited was Kideo Pre-school in Nyanga. Ikamva Labantu recently built a new structure for this crèche, which was working out wonderfully for the children. Ruth, the mama who runs the chreche actually converted her small home into the preschool facilities.
Here is a picture of some of the children from the younger class in their newly painted playroom.
The younger kids in their classroom
The next crèche we visited was Sunrise Educare in Old Crossroads. This crèche was recently the recipient of a volunteer initiative by Protea Hotels where Protea Hotel employees came to the crèche and helped make improvements to the crèche and give it a much needed mini-makeover. They also brought blankets, mattresses, toys, books and other supplies for the crèche.
Please enjoy this video of children from the older class waving hello to Ikamva Labantu!
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After spending time in the older children’s classroom, we went to go see the younger ones. These kids were so energetic and so sweet, that Jade decided to lead the whole class in a part English, part Xhosa rendition of “The Wheels on the Bus go round and round” and I MUST share this with you. Please accept my apologies for my loud singing voice from behind the camera.
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After the sing-a-long, the kids felt really comfortable and I got a chance to sit with them and play for a little while.
Me and the Kids!
The Three Sisters crèche in Lower Crossroads was probably the most inspiring crèche of the day. From the outside, this crèche looks like a shack.
Three Sisters Creche
However, the moment you walk inside you easily see how dedicated the mamas are to creating a safe, beautiful, stimulating environment for the children.
Here is a picture of me and the mama who runs the creche!
The crèche is still in need of more resources and ECD staff is working closely with them to acquire land rights to build a new structure and to receive government subsidies.
A teacher wanted to get involved in the picture taking action and struck this pose in front of some of the youngest students.
It is obvious that while this crèche lacks many resources, it is not lacking in love.
I see so much potential in a crèche like this that can accomplish so much with so little. These are the crèches that must be invested in, because once they are given access to the proper resources, there is no limit to the difference they can make in children’s lives as well as in their entire community.