Determination Pays Off for ECD
Mkhuseli Koliti Crèche, located in Thornhill, was established in 2001 after Principal Claudine Hendricks recognized a critical need in the community. As seasonal workers left for work, many children some as young as two years old were left to wander the streets during the day. In response, a group of dedicated volunteers operated the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre, providing a safe environment and meals for the children while their parents were at work. Unfortunately, the centre was forced to close its doors in 2007 due to a lack of funding and the absence of qualified teachers.
Claudine, along with a dedicated group of volunteers who had previously worked with her, pursued their passion by undergoing training and successfully obtaining their NQF Level 5 qualification in foundation-level education. In 2009, the ECD proudly reopened its doors! Today, the centre welcomes 40 children annually and has expanded its team to include a cook, a gardener, and additional staff. The centre offers the following programs:
- Preschool Education: for children between 2-5 years of age, focusing on cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.
- Early Literacy Programme: focuses on numeracy programmes which include play-based learning experiences.
- Health and nutrition support: The ECD is situated next to the clinic, which makes it convenient for children to have regular check-ups, ensuring that all vaccinations are up to date.
“The support of the Amandla Omoya Trust has been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals by funding our nutrition programs, stipends, and stimulation activities. The Trust ensures the continuity of our programs, enabling us to sustain our staff, facilities, and services. We serve four surrounding areas, making ongoing funding essential to support so many children. This funding has also helped us raise awareness about the importance of early childhood development in our community and the crucial role it plays in supporting young children’s growth. We are incredibly grateful for this support,” says Claudine Hendricks.
“I am forever grateful to the Trust because their funding helped me to stay employed at the Crèche. Employment is scarce here and helping our community by cooking for the children is a pleasure.” Cook, ECD Centre
