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This project employs 10 teachers, a cook, a cleaner and a caretaker. The project is currently sponsoring a 4-year-old girl by paying her monthly crèche fee.
As is the case in many developing communities, South Africa has a huge divide between rich and poor communities. Many people live in townships without adequate resources and facilities for their children to receive a decent education. These disadvantaged townships can only rely on local charities like this volunteer project to provide better quality education and care for their babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Volunteers will work closely with the local community, and by doing so they are constantly learning about the issues faced in many townships throughout South Africa. It is not only the children that get help but the women of the community too. The Project Organisers try to create employment in the area by making training in early childcare available to crèche and community workers. One of the aims of the project is to get more unemployed women to do the sponsored basic course in childcare and education, then to create employment for them at one of the many nursery schools they have established.
The Project Organisers work very closely with a non-profit South African organisation called Masikhule Childcare. It was founded in June 2005 and is registered as a non-profit organisation. Masikhule means ‘we are growing’ in Xhosa. It provides an extremely valuable service to women and children in the disadvantaged communities of Nomzamo.
The Project Organisers are currently helping two (of the 12) nursery schools that Masikhule Childcare are involved with - Siseko and Sikhuthale Daycare:
- Siseko has 64 children (in 3 different age groups) and a staff of four.
- Sikhutahle has 6 teachers, a cook and a caretaker. There are 114 kids at this school in 4 different age groups.
Throughout the year, the project donates various resources to its nursery schools –for instance, once a term the project rents a bouncy castle, treats the children to face painting, or, the most amusing activity….painting a school! With the help of volunteer funds and various fundraising, the project has managed to add three extra classrooms at two of their main schools. The schools have both received playground equipment, as well as more educational equipment.
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