Overview

Singakwenza, meaning “We can do it!” in isiZulu, aims to build sustainable Early Childhood Education programmes in economically disadvantaged communities. Our charity organization uses resources made solely from recycling and teaches caregivers how to provide fun, educational activities that enable young children to learn through play. Our young children, whether they are at home or in a crèche, need to have access to 1) caregivers or parents who understand that they are the key to their child’s educational success, and 2) access to educational toys. But with an estimated 5,7 million children under the age of 4 in South Africa, how do we help to transform empty crèches and homes into environments filled with enough equipment to ensure busy, happy, stimulated children? If we provide purchased educational toys, who would replace them if they got lost or broken? And how would we get these toys into all the homes of the children who really need them? Our programme aims to fill the enormous gap that currently exists in early year education in South Africa by implementing an Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, to meet the learning needs of children aged 1- 5, who live in economically disadvantaged communities. This is done through: 1. Training and mentoring of caregivers at economically disadvantaged crèches to implement a programme of learning through play, to build the educational foundations required for formal schooling and for life. Classroom support is a key component of our programme. 2. Running “Waste2Toys” Workshops in areas where access to resources is limited, to teach educators, parents and community workers involved with young children how to make their own toys and teaching materials using recycling. 3. Upskilling of local women to become champions of ECD, who empower others in their communities to provide young children with the opportunity to learn through play.