Graduation 2008- Distribution of Edu-Toy Boxes from Viva Network

Edu-toy boxes Report

Addressing: Early Childhood Development

 

Through the sponsorship of the Housley Bequest, Sikhula Sonke has been able to provide 20 Educares situated in the heart of Khayelitsha Township with educational toy boxes as improvement grants, directly addressing the developmental needs of over 400 children a year.

 

 

Sikhula Sonke operates in Khayelitsha were +/-150 informal pre-schools are run by unemployed, untrained women. Most operate from shacks, are hugely under-resourced and have insufficient classroom space or outside play areas.

Sikhula Sonke exists to meet the desperate need for quality pre-school education by training and empowering Educare workers in Early Childhood Development. They ensure that the 2,500+ children in their educare centres have access to processes and services that enable them to thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, morally and socially.

 

Creating and strengthening learning capacity

 

To this end the organisation has specifically elected to focus on creating and strengthening the capacity of formerly unemployed women who have established ECD facilities within their local communities in Khayelitsha. Their training enables parents and caregivers to render effective care, protection and stimulation to young pre-school children. The stimulation and some the aforementioned objectives are developed through play and for the child to play he/she needs developmentally appropriate materials or toys. Therefore these playing toys and books are not just 'nice –to haves' but essential learning equipment.

 

Edu-toy boxes where presented as awards for commitment to quality improvement

 

The Champions for Children programme managed the creation and distribution of the donated educational toys to the educare centres that are taking part in Sikhula Sonke's teacher training programmes. These Edu-toy boxes were awarded to rightful and deserving school on the 29th November 2008 at Sikhula Sonke's Grade R Graduation Celebration. They work with close to 40 pre-schools so a certain criteria had to be followed by Mdebuka, the manager to carefully choose the Educares to receive these Edu-toy boxes. The selection criteria was as follows: (1) The schools with no equipment at all but with a willing and dedicated teacher to children's programmes were the first to be given; (2) Those most improved schools because of the implementation of the teacher training programme; (3) Commitment to attend the training programmes; (4) Those who have been members of Sikhula Sonke for a longer time with a substantial lack of materials; (5) The new pre-schools that are also showing potential and commitment to development.

 

 

 

Some of the schools are Bukwayo Educare, Little Star , Yizani sakhe , Kuyasa Educare, Sandezwe Pre-school, Sinoxolo Educare, Sakhe Educare, Khanyisa1 Educare, Zukolwethu Educare, Bulelani Educare, Miracle Educare, Khulani Educare.

 

The impact of this development grant on the children

 

These Edu-toy boxes will assist more than 400 preschool children every year in the most progressive way. This includes creative art activities; educational block and puzzle activities for the 2-3 year old children; both the development of small and large muscle development. It will develop and increase the vocabulary of the young children through the story books that have been included and are language, age and culture appropriate. A large number of children will develop their literacy through the 'my body' chart and poster that is included in the toy box. "This means this will make a difference to a large number of children more than the ones we graduated this year" – Manager.

 

 

 

Meaning of the toy box to the practitioner

 

This means a lot of motivation to the teachers, less frustration with children fighting over the educational materials. Good lesson planning and room arrangement to enhance the development of young children can only be achieved if you have playing equipment for children. This means that the Edu-toy boxes will improve teacher planning skills. The excitement as they received the Edu-toy boxes showed that at least one problem has been solved; they are encouraged, motivated, equipped to do their jobs better.

 

 

Thank you

"All these pre-schools will open in January more excited than in other years"

 

Mdebuka, the manger and all the staff and parents would really like to thank you for your donation. It has been such an encouragement that you have chosen to assist us once again in our struggle to rise up children that can become productive happy educated school learners of South Africa. The Board and staff of Sikhula Sonke also send their greetings and thanks. We really seek to transform pre-school education in Khayelitsha and we appreciate your partnership more than you know.

 

May God bless you abundantly in this 2009!

 

 

Compiled by Justine Demmer, Network Champions Promotion Manager SA and Mdebuka of Sikhula Sonke.