Solomzi Pre-school in Masenemti in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality, Eastern Cape, was a hive of activity on Wednesday, 6 April 2022. This early childhood development (ECD) centre was selected as the site to celebrate the makeover of three facilities in the community, funded by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and Builders South Africa.
Breadline Africa’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, Diane Laugksch was delighted to be on site to enjoy a day of fun with the children of Solomzi Pre-school. Diane explained that the work being done by Breadline Africa in rural Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal “is part of broader strategy to assist ECD centres in surrounding rural communities to registration with the Department of Basic Education. By helping to upgrade the physical infrastructure and by ensuring that learning facilities are safe and hygienic, we help ECD centres to qualify for registration and government funding. So, we see our work as an important part of the journey to ensuring the long-term sustainability of these centres,” said Diane.
Solomzi Pre-school is one of three ECD centres in Mbizana to be upgraded, thanks to funding received from MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and Builders South Africa. The three facilities (including Wonder & Joy Pre-school and Notha Pre-school) were selected based on a need for additional classroom space and/or a need to replace unsafe facilities. In total, three new brick and mortar classrooms were built, with provision also made for separate kitchen and office areas. Where improved toilet facilities were needed, pour-flush toilets, handwash stations and water tanks were also installed.
Breadline Africa and its Eastern Cape partner, Impande, contributed to the cost of installing fencing at two sites. Much to the delight of the children, a classroom library unit stocked with 100 age-appropriate isiXhosa storybooks to support daily reading and story-telling activities was also supplied to each centre.
The improved classroom space and resources provided now allow for better group activities and for resource materials such as books, puzzles, building blocks, a theme table etc, to be permanently displayed and available to the children. All three ECD centres will continue to be supported by Impande, Breadline Africa’s Eastern Capepartner, to strengthen their early learning programme.
