A drop in the number of children under the age of four who attend preschool has led to a new initiative through which generous sponsors can fund a year of nursery school for a toddler — for R3,600.
The General Household Survey by Stats SA shows an overall decline in children attending preschool — the likely consequence of job losses and lifestyle changes caused by the disruptive Covid-19 pandemic.
Khulisa Social Solutions, which has been part of the significant peacemaking and social cohesion programmes in Alexandra, partnered with the Alexandra NGO Foundation and has accessed the Alexandra Early Childhood Development Forum that represents 45 crèches.
Together they determined many young children in the township don’t have the opportunity to attend crèche because families can’t afford it. They are often left during the day to play on the pavements with vendors or caregivers who are unable or unqualified to give them the necessary stimulation needed for their growth.
“It’s a fact that if a child doesn’t go to preschool, they will be left behind,” said Khulisa MD Lesley-Ann Van Selm.
In collaboration, the organisations put together scores of profiles of underprivileged children who need to attend preschool but cannot. Each child’s living situation has been assessed by a social worker.
Van Selm was strongly drawn to the case of two-year-old Phenyo Langa.
“Phenyo used to watch the other children at preschool through the gates when we went to the shops,” said his mother Bridget Langa. “And sometimes he would just walk there by himself and he would cry to go in.”
“Sometimes they would let him in to play with the other children. But they could not do that all the time, and I could not afford to pay,” she said, explaining her huge relief when Van Selm decided to sponsor Phenyo’s schooling.
It’s been almost a month now and Phenyo just loves going to school. He is already learning things.
— Phenyo’s sponsor, Lesley-Ann Van Selm
The sponsorship programme, developed by Khulisa, has been named Let The Young Child Learn, and partners sponsors with beneficiaries. The cost of crèche five days aweek from 8am to 5pm, meals and excursions included amounts to R3,600 a year for sponsors. This can be paid as a one-off amount, quarterly or monthly. Sponsors are given photographs and videos of the child they support, along with progress reports on how the child is doing, as well as a Section 18A tax certificate for cash donations to the initiative.
Van Selm was delighted to take on Phenyo and his mother.
“He is such a bright little boy and his mother is lovely. They both call me Lala, like my own grandchildren do,” said Van Selm, gushing with happiness about Phenyo’s quick adjustment to school life.
“It’s been almost a month now and Phenyo just loves going to school. He is already learning things,” Langa said.
Van Selm said uptake, through word of mouth, had been fantastic. Within a week 10 sponsors had signed up, and they are hoping to reach 200 by September.
For more information, please contact Khulisa at info@khulisa.org.za or to pledge a donation, please go to https://khulisa.org.za/play-your-part/.
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